Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces renewed pressure to conduct elections during wartime, despite constitutional restrictions due to martial law. Mykhailo Fedorov, a former defense minister, recently ousted from his position, is advocating for a legal and safe mechanism to enable democratic processes amidst ongoing conflict with Russia since February 2022.
While the feasibility of holding elections during the current war remains questionable, the political implications of the election calls cannot be disregarded by Zelenskyy. Fedorov’s stance on potential elections has sparked domestic political discussions, although concrete plans for immediate voting are yet to materialize.
Before his dismissal, Fedorov, a 35-year-old reformist and technology-savvy official, served as Ukraine’s digital transformation minister and promoted the use of drones in warfare against Russia. Despite public support, Fedorov was removed from his defense minister role in July, prompting widespread protests in Ukraine demanding his reinstatement.
The appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister formalized by lawmakers raises questions about the possibility of holding elections amid the ongoing conflict. Some experts, like combat medic Dmytro Koziatynskyi and policy fellow Lesia Bidochko, express doubts about the practicality of organizing elections with millions of Ukrainians displaced or involved in military service.
The debate on wartime elections continues, with conflicting opinions on the feasibility and potential risks associated with such a move. Zelenskyy’s response to Fedorov’s election call remains pending, while concerns linger about the impact on national unity and external interference, particularly from Russia.