DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
- Outlet: arabic.rt.com ( archive, original ) , www.khiyam.com ( archive, original ) , 3rd-eye.net ( archive, original ) , anba24.com ( original ) , yemennownews.com ( original ) , 3rd-eye.net ( archive, original ) , 3rd-eye.net ( archive, original ) , yemennownews.com ( original ) , yemennownews.com ( original ) , arabic.rt.com ( archive, original ) , arabic.rt.com ( archive, original ) , www.khiyam.com ( archive, original ) , www.khiyam.com ( archive, original ) , anba24.com ( original ) , anba24.com ( original )
- Date of publication: May 20, 2024
- Article language(s): Arabic
- Countries / regions discussed: Ukraine
DISINFO: Zelenskyy is usurping power in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Zelenskyy spat on his country's constitution. He didn't just go for prolonging his time in power, but to usurp the highest power in the country; he hid behind the fig leaf of the Ukrainian parliament's ambiguous declaration on the cancellation of wartime presidential elections. This man who calls himself the President of Ukraine is a liar, a sick coward, and is afraid of elections.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at defaming president Zelenskyy and absolve Russia from its responsibility for suspending the democratic process in Ukraine.
Ukrainian law prohibits holding presidential elections while under martial law. This was stipulated by the Ukrainian martial law passed in 2015, long before President Zelenskyy became the president of Ukraine in May 2019.
Article 19 of the legal regime of martial law stipulates that "In the conditions of martial law, the following are prohibited: changing the Constitution of Ukraine ; amendment of the Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea conducting elections of the President of Ukraine, as well as elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and local self-government bodies; conducting all-Ukrainian and local referenda; conducting strikes, mass meetings and actions".
The enactment of the martial law which suspends the election process is the direct consequence of the unprovoked and full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and the occupation of its territories, and is therefore Russia's full responsibility.
Ukraine’s constitution is straightforward: the President exercises his powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President. The continuity of government institutions is one of the key principles of the Constitution.
While the date 20 May 2024, five years after president Zelenskyy taking office, has arose some domestic controversy in Ukraine, almost all observers consider regular elections unfeasible as there are millions of refugees abroad, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians serving on the frontlines and a significant part of Ukrainian population lives under Russian occupation. Another challenge would be ensuring the safety and security of polling stations, as well as guaranteeing access to international observers.