Holding elections in the occupied territory of Donbass is possible before the withdrawal of Russian military units. This was stated by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Ukraine Ernst Reichel, in an interview to RBK-Ukraina.
"The elections in the Donbass can take place not necessarily only when there will be no Russian troops or with a Ukrainian flag on each city administration. Without a doubt, it is rather difficult to imagine - local elections without security measures, but I am convinced that it is not something impossible, it all depends on the conditions. I can give you a historical example. The last parliamentary elections in the GDR, which were to replace the communist regime were held in the presence of the Western group of the Soviet troops and the communist regime in East Germany. But the elections have led to its change, "- the ambassador said.
At the same time, he said, that we can not draw direct analogies, and everything will depend on circumstances, which should be favorable to the elections.
"Undoubtedly, the elections should take place in those conditions, which will correspond to European standards. That is why safety, as well as other requirements of the electoral process, are essential. Any Ukrainian politician should be able to hold his campaign without fear. And if it is not possible, then such elections can not meet the standards", - Ernst Reichel said.
Earlier, the chairman of the Central Election Commission Mykhaylo Okhendovsky stated that the CEC will begin preparing for the elections in the temporarily occupied Donbass only after fulfillment of all conditions stipulated by the Minsk Agreements.