Ukraine’s dismissed defence minister calls for wartime presidential election
Mykhailo Fedorov’s appeal is most direct challenge to Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russian invasion in 2022
TL;DR
- Former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov is advocating for a wartime presidential election in Ukraine.
- This move is seen as the most direct political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the 2022 Russian invasion.
- Fedorov believes Ukraine must restore a full democratic process, asserting that democracy should not be held hostage by Russia.
- Elections have been suspended in Ukraine since martial law was imposed at the start of the full-scale invasion.
- Fedorov's dismissal triggered protests, with demonstrations continuing to express support for him.
- Polling suggests Fedorov would come third in a presidential election, behind Zelenskyy and former head of the armed forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
- Challenges to holding elections include ongoing Russian bombing, displacement of millions, and over 1 million serving in the armed forces.
- Political analyst Artem Bronzhukov questions the feasibility of ensuring safety during elections amidst the war.