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Ex-Ukrainian Social Policy Minister Suggests Zelensky Could Call Snap Election in August

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's former Minister of Social Policy Andriy Reva said on Friday that President Volodymyr Zelensky could call a snap presidential vote in August in a move to be re-elected for another five years amid political turmoil in the country.
Sputnik

"I see clear signs of a snap presidential election. [The vote could be called] for fall. I think that he [Zelensky] will announce this on the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, on 24 August. He will come out with some initiatives. It is obvious that the economic and social disaster forces him to reboot everything that is happening", Reva told the broadcaster Nash.

According to the official, it will play into the hands of Zelensky if he sacrifices the remaining three years of his current presidential term for another five years in power.

"The three years that remain would only worsen the situation for President Zelensky. Sociological [surveys] show that he has a real chance of winning, and he realises that the best time to give himself a fresh start for another five years is now", Reva said.

Zelensky came to power in the spring of 2019, receiving 30.24% of the vote in the first round and 73.22% in the second round of the election.

According to a survey conducted by the Ukrainian think tank Razumkov Centre in April 2021, if the presidential election were held in the near future, Zelensky would receive the most votes in the first round.
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