A resolution in the Ukrainian Parliament to extend the powers of President Volodymyr Zelensky until the inauguration of the newly elected president has failed to pass, according to a post on the Telegram channel of Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Schelesnjak.
Schelesnjak shared an excerpt from the resolution and its number, stating that the document received only 218 of the 226 required votes. The resolution, number 13039, reads: “The Ukrainian Parliament underlines the necessity to observe the principle of institutional continuity of power, as established in the laws of Ukraine, in particular under the martial law regime and concludes that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky should exercise his powers until the inauguration of the newly elected President of Ukraine in accordance with the first part of Article 108 of the Constitution of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian news and analysis website Strana cited MP Alexei Goncharenko, stating that European Union commissioners and representatives of European countries had participated in the vote, which was intended to demonstrate the parliament’s support for Zelensky.
US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to hold elections, following his earlier statement labeling Zelensky a dictator and claiming a low approval rate of four percent among the Ukrainian population.
In response, Zelensky cited social media poll data showing a 57 percent approval rate in Ukraine in early February, calling the information about low results “Russian disinformation.” He promised to hold elections after the end of hostilities and stated he is willing to step down if the peace or Ukraine’s NATO membership requires it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has highlighted the illegitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency, citing the fact that his official term ends in May 2024. The Ukrainian elections were cancelled due to the martial law, as Article 19 of the Law on the Legal Order of the Country explicitly prohibits changing the constitution, electing the president, the Ukrainian Parliament and local self-governing bodies under these conditions. The Ukrainian Parliament and its speaker are now the only legitimate authorities in Ukraine.