Ex-defence minister's call for a wartime election puts pressure on Ukraine's Zelenskyy

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has broken a wartime election taboo by publicly advocating for the holding of elections during wartime, a stance that Ukraine's leadership had largely rejected in the past. Speaking in a video address, Fedorov stressed the importance of a secure and realistic mechanism to ensure the voting rights of soldiers, Ukrainians living abroad, and those in frontline regions.

He emphasized that democracy is part of what Ukrainians are fighting for. Fedorov's call for elections came amid significant political turmoil in Ukraine, including corruption scandals, a government reshuffle, and widespread protests over his dismissal as defense minister.

While recent polls indicate that most Ukrainians are not eager to hold elections before a ceasefire is reached, the idea of wartime elections has gained traction within the Zelensky administration. Following a high-level meeting in mid-June, officials discussed the possibility of holding elections as early as September or October.

This decision was influenced by a recent opinion poll showing stronger support for Zelensky than anticipated, suggesting that his approval ratings were rising. President Volodymyr Zelensky ultimately decided against holding elections, a choice supported by his main political rival, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

The change in stance reflects a shift in public trust following a series of events that weakened confidence in Zelensky and his administration. These events include the suspension of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office under martial law, investigations into close associates of Zelensky, and the resignation of Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office, amid a major corruption probe.

Despite these challenges, Zelensky managed to maintain legitimacy, at least temporarily, by capitalizing on the unspoken consensus that wartime survival and national unity should take precedence over electoral processes.