By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Bulawayo mayor and human rights lawyer David Coltart has weighed in on former U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s controversial statement regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator” due to Ukraine’s lack of elections since Russia’s invasion.
In a pointed response, Coltart drew a historical parallel with World War II, highlighting that while the United Kingdom held elections during the war, it did not conduct a general election. The last general election before the war was in 1935, and the next only occurred in July 1945, following the war’s end. During the conflict, Britain was governed by a wartime coalition government led by Winston Churchill, comprising the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal parties. The general election due in 1940 was postponed under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act.
“No one would ever have called Churchill a dictator simply because he didn’t hold an election during World War 2,” Coltart emphasized, countering Trump’s assertion.
He noted that while the USA held elections during World War II, it was never under the direct threat of invasion, unlike Ukraine, which faces the harsh reality of 20% of its UN-recognized territory under Russian control and routine rocket and drone attacks.
“It is, in my opinion, unreasonable to expect Ukraine to hold a general election during the war,” Coltart stated. “How a country can hold free and fair elections in this context is beyond me.”
Trump’s original statement, shared widely on social media, criticized the Biden administration for spending $350 billion on Ukraine’s war effort, suggesting Zelensky mismanaged funds and alleging he played President Joe Biden “like a fiddle.” He further implied that only his leadership could negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
Coltart’s response is gaining traction, with many observers noting the historical precedent and the complexities of holding elections in wartime. The debate underscores the broader geopolitical tensions and the scrutiny over international support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.-ZimEye