Ousted Ukrainian minister calls for elections amid war, challenging Zelenskyy

Mykhailo Fedorov, who was recently dismissed as Ukraine's defense minister, has broken ranks to call for elections to be held even as the country remains embroiled in war. Fedorov cited a "systemic governance crisis" within Ukraine, asserting that the democratic process should not be indefinitely suspended due to the conflict. "Democracy cannot be a hostage of Russia," Fedorov stated in a video message, urging the creation of a legal, secure, and realistic mechanism to conduct elections under prolonged wartime conditions.

Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections from taking place during periods of martial law. Fedorov, 35, a former close associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, served as defense minister for only six months before his dismissal in July. Zelenskyy attributed the removal to working relationship issues between Fedorov and then-Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi. Fedorov publicly criticized Syrskyi following his ouster, highlighting public disagreements between the two.

The controversy surrounding Fedorov's dismissal led to protests, with thousands taking to the streets. Demonstrators demanded Syrskyi's removal, holding him responsible for heavy troop losses at the front, and called for Fedorov's reinstatement. Facing public pressure, Zelenskyy subsequently dismissed Syrskyi as well. Although initial protest momentum has waned, demonstrations continue in Kyiv.

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Democracy cannot be a hostage of Russia.

Fedorov's call for elections comes shortly after Zelenskyy nominated Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister for parliamentary approval. The former minister reiterated his belief that Ukraine faces a "systemic governance crisis," adding that "the old system often lives by its own rules. It protects itself and fears change." He also alluded to corruption within public institutions without naming specific individuals. Fedorov had previously suggested that his push for reforms in multibillion-dollar procurement processes within the Defense Ministry might have contributed to his dismissal.

While Fedorov has not explicitly stated whether he would run in a potential election, recent opinion polls suggest he could emerge as a strong political rival to Zelenskyy. One survey indicated Fedorov possesses enough support to potentially defeat Zelenskyy in a hypothetical presidential runoff. Fedorov, who became Ukraine's youngest minister in 2019 at age 28, previously oversaw the country's digital transformation policies for nearly six years and played a key role in developing drone and technology-focused defense systems during the war.

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the old system often lives by its own rules. It protects itself and fears change.