Russia Plans Elections, Zelensky Reminds Everyone Ukraine Doesn’t Need Them

With Russia preparing for its September parliamentary elections, Volodymyr Zelensky reminded that Ukraine will not be holding any elections of its own.

“Our political leaders must not forget it: there will be no elections in our country. We must defend our state,” Zelensky said, according to reports.

Under Ukrainian martial law, elections are not held, which means Zelensky’s mandate, originally due to expire in May 2024, continues.

Russia has elections coming in September.

Israel is due to vote by late October, unless it votes earlier, because its parliament has already taken steps toward dissolving itself.

The European Union, always ready to explain democratic standards to others, still does not directly elect the President or the members of the European Commission.

Venezuela continues staging its scheduled votes; the leading opposition figures are simply removed from the ballot in advance.

Iran holds presidential elections every four years on schedule, sanctions and regional conflicts notwithstanding - the Guardian Council merely decides who may run.

In the old Greek sense, democracy meant rule by the people - not indefinite rule on behalf of citizens who are currently unavailable. A democracy that cannot vote for years eventually begins to look less like a democracy - especially when other countries manage to keep the ritual going.