Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called on Kyiv to establish a path toward holding elections during the ongoing conflict [1].
The request highlights growing internal pressure to restore democratic governance while the country remains under martial law, which currently prohibits national elections [1, 2].
Fedorov spoke Tuesday, Aug. 18, regarding the need to balance security requirements with democratic legitimacy [1, 3]. He said Kyiv must find a "legal, safe, and realistic" way to restore the democratic process [1].
The ousted minister said finding a viable mechanism for voting is essential to maintain the country's political health amid the prolonged war [1, 2]. This call comes at a time when the legal framework of martial law creates a significant barrier to organizing a nationwide vote [2].
Fedorov did not provide a specific timeline for the proposed elections but emphasized the necessity of a realistic approach [1]. He said the goal is to ensure the process does not compromise national security or the safety of the electorate [1, 2].
The proposal suggests a shift in how the government views the intersection of war and governance. While martial law is designed to centralize authority for efficiency during a crisis, the call for elections indicates a desire to return to a representative system [2, 3].
Kyiv has not yet issued a formal response to the former minister's call for a legal path toward voting [1].
“Kyiv must find a 'legal, safe, and realistic' way to restore the democratic process.”
This call for wartime elections reflects a tension between the operational needs of a state under martial law and the long-term necessity of democratic legitimacy. By urging a 'realistic' path, Fedorov is acknowledging that while traditional elections are currently impossible, the absence of a democratic mandate could weaken internal stability or international standing as the conflict persists.
