Mykhailo Fedorov's push for elections during the ongoing war has drawn criticism from Ukrainian lawmakers, highlighting internal political tensions following his recent dismissal.
Key facts
- •Mykhailo Fedorov called for a mechanism to resume democratic processes during the war in a YouTube address.
- •Martial law currently prohibits both presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
- •Lawmakers including Kira Rudik, Mykola Kniazhytskyi, and Yaroslav Zhelezniak publicly opposed holding elections during the conflict.
- •Roman Lozynskyi noted that the debate occurs amid a crisis of public trust and ongoing corruption investigations.
- •Dmytro Kuleba expressed support for the proposal, citing the need for new political representation.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for the establishment of a mechanism to hold elections despite the ongoing war. His proposal, delivered in a YouTube address, has faced significant pushback from various Ukrainian politicians who argue that martial law and security risks make such a process impossible or dangerous. The debate follows Fedorov's recent ouster by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has created internal political friction.
Political Opposition to Wartime Voting
Lawmakers from multiple parties have rejected Fedorov's call, citing constitutional prohibitions and logistical dangers. Kira Rudik of the Holos party stated that elections cannot be held under martial law, while Mykola Kniazhytskyi of the European Solidarity party emphasized the security threats posed by Russian missile and drone attacks. Yaroslav Zhelezniak, also of the Holos party, explicitly opposed the idea, citing both constitutional constraints and the current security climate.
Context of the Proposal
Fedorov argued that democracy should not be held hostage by the war, questioning whether Russia should effectively determine when Ukrainians can choose their government. Conversely, Roman Lozynskyi of the Holos party warned that holding elections during the conflict could benefit Moscow by fueling internal division and manipulation. While presidential and parliamentary elections were postponed due to the invasion, President Zelenskyy has indicated that any future vote would require substantial international support to ensure security and voting rights.
Support for the Call
Former official Dmytro Kuleba has supported the idea of holding elections during the conflict. Kuleba argued that the current political model, formed in 2019, is emotionally exhausted and that there is public demand for new parliamentary representation, noting that it is unclear when the war will end.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico Europe.
