Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure to conduct wartime elections, despite constitutional restrictions in place during martial law. Mykhailo Fedorov, a former defense minister who was recently ousted, is urging for the implementation of a legal and feasible process to uphold Ukraine’s democratic practices amid ongoing conflict with Russia that commenced in February 2022.
While the feasibility of holding elections during the current wartime situation is questioned by some, the political implications of these demands cannot be disregarded by Zelenskyy, whether immediate elections are on the horizon or not. Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former government minister, pointed out that Fedorov has raised the issue of elections as a significant domestic political concern, although the timing of such an event remains uncertain.
Prior to his removal, Fedorov, a 35-year-old reformer, and technology-savvy member of Zelenskyy’s administration, had advocated for the use of drone warfare in countering Russian aggression. Despite his dismissal in July, Fedorov declined alternative government roles and insisted on returning to his defense minister post, a request that Zelenskyy did not grant, appointing Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister instead.
The logistical challenges posed by the ongoing conflict with Russia raise doubts about the practicality of holding elections at this time, as highlighted by various experts and observers. Lesia Bidochko from the European Policy Institute in Kyiv believes that Fedorov’s call for elections may lack a realistic implementation plan and could be more about political positioning than concrete action.
Ukrainian lawmaker Lesia Vasylenko emphasized the complexity of organizing elections amidst the current circumstances, citing the need for constitutional amendments, a challenging process even in peaceful times, and nearly impossible during martial law. Despite these calls for change, Zelenskyy has yet to directly address Fedorov’s election proposal, with his communications advisor emphasizing the country’s focus on countering Russia’s ongoing military attacks.
However, the potential risks associated with rushing wartime elections, as cautioned by Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House, include the erosion of national unity and the possibility of exploitation by Moscow. The issue of Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, raised by Russia and echoed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, further complicates the situation, with external actors scrutinizing Ukraine’s political processes in the midst of conflict.