this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2026
75 points (98.7% liked)

Europe

12110 readers
489 users here now

News and information from Europe 🇪🇺

(Current banner: La Mancha, Spain. Feel free to post submissions for banner images.)

Rules

  1. This is an English-language community. Comments should be in English. Posts can link to non-English news sources when providing a full-text translation in the post description. Automated translations are fine, as long as they don't overly distort the content.
  2. No links to misinformation or commercial advertising. When you post outdated/historic articles, add the year of publication to the post title. Infographics must include a source and a year of creation; if possible, also provide a link to the source.
  3. Be kind to each other, and argue in good faith. Don't post direct insults nor disrespectful and condescending comments. Don't troll nor incite hatred. Don't look for novel argumentation strategies at Wikipedia's List of fallacies.
  4. No bigotry, sexism, racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, dehumanization of minorities, or glorification of National Socialism. We follow German law; don't question the statehood of Israel.
  5. Be the signal, not the noise: Strive to post insightful comments. Add "/s" when you're being sarcastic (and don't use it to break rule no. 3).
  6. If you link to paywalled information, please provide also a link to a freely available archived version. Alternatively, try to find a different source.
  7. Light-hearted content, memes, and posts about your European everyday belong in other communities.
  8. Don't evade bans. If we notice ban evasion, that will result in a permanent ban for all the accounts we can associate with you.
  9. No posts linking to speculative reporting about ongoing events with unclear backgrounds. Please wait at least 12 hours. (E.g., do not post breathless reporting on an ongoing terror attack.)
  10. Always provide context with posts: Don't post uncontextualized images or videos, and don't start discussions without giving some context first.

(This list may get expanded as necessary.)

Posts that link to the following sources will be removed

Unless they're the only sources, please also avoid The Sun, Daily Mail, any "thinktank" type organization, and non-Lemmy social media (incl. Substack). Don't link to Twitter directly, instead use xcancel.com. For Reddit, use old:reddit:com

(Lists may get expanded as necessary.)

Ban lengths, etc.

We will use some leeway to decide whether to remove a comment.

If need be, there are also bans: 3 days for lighter offenses, 7 or 14 days for bigger offenses, and permanent bans for people who don't show any willingness to participate productively. If we think the ban reason is obvious, we may not specifically write to you.

If you want to protest a removal or ban, feel free to write privately to the admin that applied the rule (check modlog first to find who was it.)

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
federalreverse@feddit.org
poVoq@slrpnk.net
anzo@programming.dev
EuroMod@feddit.org
75
Elections now would 'destroy Ukraine,' Zelensky says, revealing new details on disagreements with Fedorov (kyivindependent.com)
submitted 1 month ago by schizoidman@lemmy.zip to c/europe@feddit.org
28 comments fedilink hide all child comments
top 28 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] kingofras@lemmy.world 31 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is a difficult tossup. Volodymyr knows we’re in a world where autocrats fabricate whatever narratives to cling on to power, like Benji, Donny, Vladdy, Modi, Xi, so you can understand some people see that he benefits from sustaining the war so he too can hold onto power.

On the other side of that argument is that even if he were to organise elections, that would be like opening a honey jar right next to a wasp nest. Given what St Petersburg has been able to poll off with Maga and Brexit, the time for elections may be over. I had a different opinion a few years ago, but in times of war (and ecocidal collapse) humans are so preoccupied with survival that they historically tend to just trust a strongman. They don’t tend to be fantastic or great, but in the case of Zelenskyy, I would still place him in the good category.

[–] groet@feddit.org 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

On big problem is also this: many of the strongman started by being "good" before turning "evil".

They often bring actually change in a rigid and locked down situation. And often people have tangible benefits as a result. That's why the autocrats often have broad support in the population. They actually helped them 20 years ago. People remember the good things of the past and ignore the terrible things of the present.

I really don't want to be in his position and I don't know how to defend an election against Russian propaganda without severely limiting freedom of speech/press.

[–] omgboom@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Name one autocrat that was a good person before taking power, just because I'm curious

[–] groet@feddit.org 2 points 1 month ago

I very deliberately put good in quotes.

His tenure consisted of economic recovery from the economic crisis of 2001, the start of EU membership negotiations, and the reduction of military influence on politics. In late 2012, his government began peace negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to end the Kurdish–Turkish conflict, negotiations which ended three years later. [...] Erdoğan's presidency has been marked by democratic backsliding and a shift towards authoritarianism.

Mugabe's administration expanded healthcare and education. [...] Pursuing decolonisation, Mugabe emphasised the redistribution of land controlled by white farmers to landless blacks; [...] He was praised as a revolutionary hero of the African liberation struggle who helped free Zimbabwe from British colonialism, imperialism, and white minority rule. Critics accused Mugabe of being a dictator responsible for economic mismanagement and widespread corruption and human rights abuses, including anti-white racism, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Often "good" just means "ended the (civil) war (by killing lot of the opposing side), thus bringing economic stability and growth while rebuilding infrastructure and (propagandised) education."

[–] GraniteM@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"Good person" might be a stretch, but plenty of autocrats come to power in situations where people's real needs are not being met, and they are able to present a plausible-enough case that they ought to be given extraordinary powers in order to provide for them. Whether it's a good person looking to sweep away a corrupt old system or a prospective dictator looking for a way to exploit vulnerability, the pathway can be much the same.

[–] omgboom@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

Yeah you're right, Caesar did nothing wrong

[–] deft@lemmy.wtf 20 points 1 month ago (1 children)

As per Ukraine's constitution, elections are suspended under martial law, which has remained in force since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Fedorov's proposal also drew criticism from some of the soldiers and protesters who had spent weeks demanding his reinstatement as defense minister

Desperate to stay relevant. Fedorov just needs to fuck off

[–] Cypher@aussie.zone 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

He shouldn’t have been sidelined to start with but now that he’s out… he needs to stay out.

I suspect he’ll have a good career in politics post-war if he plays things right.

[–] jenesaisquoi@feddit.org 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Elections are unlawful in times of war.

Also, the kremlins influence campaigns would have a field day with this.