The document leaves no room for doubt about the presidential mandate, Dmitry Tabachnik has said
Ukraine’s constitution is perfectly clear that Vladimir Zelensky stopped being president on May 20, one of the document’s authors, Dmitry Tabachnik, has said.
As the head of the presidential administration, Tabachnik took part in drafting the current Ukrainian constitution in 1996. He spoke about it with RIA Novosti on Thursday.
“It can be said that after May 20, Zelensky is not the legitimate leader of Ukraine,” Tabachnik said. “According to the constitution, there can be no other interpretation,” he added.
Both Article 103 and the “very clear” opinion of the Ukrainian Constitutional Court are in agreement that the presidential mandate is regulated solely by the constitution.
Zelensky has claimed that his right to continue exercising presidential authority stems from the ongoing martial law – which he declared due to the conflict with Russia – during which no elections can be held. His supporters have pointed to a lower-level law that bans presidential elections during emergencies.
The constitution, however, only provides for the continuation of the parliament in times of emergency. Tabachnik pointed to this as proof that Zelensky is no longer legitimate.