Former Defense Minister Fedorov called for presidential elections to be held during the war
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for presidential elections to be held amid the war. In a nine-minute video address released Tuesday evening, he stated the need to restore a full-fledged democratic process even amid a protracted war, according to The Guardian World.
Fedorov stated that democracy must not be held hostage by Russia—an aggressor state—and that Ukraine is fighting to remain a free European nation. He also said that society cannot remain indefinitely in a situation where it does not understand the reasons behind certain decisions, the promotion of some reforms, and the blocking of others.
The former minister did not directly name President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but he criticized the approach to personnel appointments. According to him, it is dangerous when society gets the impression that the main criterion for appointment is personal loyalty to the system, rather than professionalism, results, or the ability to change the country.
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Elections in Ukraine have been suspended following the imposition of martial law at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy’s five-year presidential term ended in May 2024. The publication notes that voting is complicated by Russian shelling, the millions of people who have fled abroad or been displaced within the country, more than a million military personnel—many of whom are on the front lines—and Russia’s temporary occupation of about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
Political analyst Artem Bronzhukov, in comments to The Guardian World, questioned the practical feasibility of holding elections under current conditions, particularly due to the lack of a clear understanding of how to ensure voter safety. According to the publication, a poll by the Socis Center for Social Research, conducted in late July and early August, showed that Fedorov could garner 13.1% of the vote in the first round, Zelenskyy—22.3%, and Valery Zaluzhny—21.4%.
