Ukraine's former defense minister demands elections: "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia"
Ukraine's former defense chief, Mykhailo Fedorov, is demanding a wartime presidential election. This comes after his firing by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked protests in Ukraine. CBS News' Aidan Stretch has more details.
Ukraine's former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for an election in Ukraine, citing a "crisis of governance." Despite wartime elections being prohibited in the country, this marks the first demand of its kind and the first leadership challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia's invasion in 2022. Fedorov, who previously served as Zelenskyy's ally, was sacked from his position in July, leading to protests demanding his dismissal and that of the armed forces' commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The 35-year-old defense minister argued that Ukraine must find a legal, safe, and realistic way to restore its democratic process amidst the ongoing war. He emphasized that the current system often prioritizes itself over change and the people's well-being. Fedorov's stance follows recent polls suggesting he could potentially defeat Zelenskyy in a runoff vote.
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