The Supreme Court has initiated proceedings against the Verkhovna Rada, demanding to recognize its inaction regarding the failure to appoint presidential elections on March 31, 2024, as unlawful and to oblige the parliament to appoint presidential elections by adopting the corresponding resolution. The lawsuit was filed by Oleg Serik, a resident of Chernihiv.
The statement of claim indicates that the presidential elections took place on 31.03.2019, and Volodymyr Zelensky took the oath as head of state on 20.05.2019. Starting from 21.05.2019, the five-year term of the President of Ukraine’s powers, established by the Constitution of Ukraine, began to be counted.
Thus, the lawsuit states that the term of office of the president, established by the Constitution, expires on 21.05.2024.
However, as the plaintiff writes, the Verkhovna Rada, endowed with exclusive powers to appoint regular presidential elections in Ukraine, contrary to the provisions of paragraph 7 of Part One of Article 85 of the Constitution, did not appoint elections within the legislatively defined terms. The plaintiff considers the aforementioned inaction of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine unlawful and violating the rights of a significant number of individuals to participate in the electoral process. The court has decided to initiate proceedings on the lawsuit.
The Verkhovna Rada has been given 15 days to provide explanations within the framework of the proceedings, after which the plaintiff will have an additional 3 days to respond to these explanations.
At the same time, there is a debate in Ukraine regarding the legitimacy of President Zelensky after May 20, 2024, when the five-year term of his constitutional powers expires. His opponents insist that after this date, he can no longer perform the duties of the president.
