Council of Europe is already preparing for first postwar elections in Ukraine, - Berset
The Council of Europe is already working on preparations for Ukraine’s first nationwide elections after the war ends. The vote is to take place once conditions for free and fair elections are in place in the country.
According to Censor.NET, citing Rapporteur, this was stated by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset.
"We are working to prepare for elections for the day when it becomes possible to hold free and fair elections in Ukraine," he said.
At the same time, Berset emphasized that holding elections will be just one component of the restoration of Ukrainian democracy after the war.
Among the main challenges, he cited the reintegration of veterans into society, support for families affected by the war, assistance to internally displaced persons and Ukrainians abroad, as well as children who have missed out on years of schooling.
"Veterans will be a huge concern. That is, reintegrating them into society, dealing with families torn apart by the war, people displaced inside and outside the country, children who have lost years of schooling, and the mental-health impact," said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
According to Berset, once the war ends, Ukraine will have to not only rebuild what has been destroyed, but also restore society and its trust in democracy.
He cited citizens’ trust in state institutions as a key factor. Berset noted that the Council of Europe has been working with Ukraine for decades to combat corruption and implement reforms.
