Ukraine: What is Driving the Push for Elections?
Reactions in the European press to a call for elections in wartime Ukraine from a popular, abruptly dismissed, defense minister.
Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections in Ukraine despite the ongoing war. Critics are debating the motives behind his move. Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung notes that the war is damaging Ukrainian democracy, and long-term rule without turnover weakens oversight, encouraging corruption and authoritarian structures.
Slovakia's Sme stresses that while Fedorov doesn't question the legitimacy of existing structures, he argues the model must be revitalized to restore trust and oversight processes, including elections. Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten warns that elections could end badly for Zelensky and his team, citing traditional distrust of incumbent heads of state and ongoing corruption scandals surrounding Zelensky and his inner circle.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
