Key facts
- Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for wartime elections.
- Ukrainian lawmakers largely rejected the proposal due to constitutional and security concerns.
- Martial law in Ukraine prohibits elections.
- Fedorov's call follows his recent dismissal from his ministerial position.
- Some politicians, like Dmytro Kuleba, supported the idea of holding elections during the conflict.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's recent call for wartime elections has generated significant opposition and consternation in Kyiv, marking a serious internal challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership. Fedorov, who was recently ousted from his ministerial role, argued for a "legal, safe, and realistic mechanism" to resume a "full-fledged democratic process" despite the ongoing war.
However, politicians from across the political spectrum have largely dismissed his proposal. Kira Rudik, leader of the Holos party, stated that elections cannot be held under martial law, which is in effect due to the Russian invasion and prohibits constitutional amendments. Mykola Kniazhytskyi of the European Solidarity party highlighted the severe security and logistical challenges of conducting a vote under Russian missile and drone attacks, emphasizing that state security must be the primary consideration. Yaroslav Zhelezniak, another Holos lawmaker, echoed these sentiments, calling the idea "unrealistic" primarily due to constitutional barriers.
Fedorov's push for elections comes after his dismissal, which followed his widely recognized efforts in innovating military resistance. He expressed his displeasure in a YouTube address, questioning whether Russia should have the right to dictate when Ukrainians can choose their government and asserting that democracy should not be held hostage. His call coincides with a period of deepening public trust crisis in Ukraine due to corruption scandals, with Operation Forrest Gump raids on the president's office occurring concurrently.
Roman Lozynskyi, also from the Holos party, warned that elections during wartime could benefit Moscow by creating a "war of all against all" and a fertile ground for fakes and manipulation. He noted a growing public sentiment where the choice between corruption without elections and the risk of elections during war is becoming a difficult one. Ukraine was originally scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024 and 2023, respectively, but these were postponed due to the invasion. President Zelenskyy, under pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, has not definitively ruled out wartime elections but has indicated a need for substantial international support for security and voting rights.