Zelenskyy rejects plea for wartime Ukrainian presidential election which would 'destroy' the country
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls to hold presidential elections during the ongoing war, stating that such a move would divide the nation and destroy it. The rejection follows a demand for elections by former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, amid reports of declining Western military aid.
Why it matters
The debate over wartime elections highlights the internal political strain in Ukraine and the challenges of maintaining democratic processes under existential threat.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns an election during wartime would "destroy" Ukraine. ( Reuters: Marko Djurica )
A long-time political ally of the Ukrainian president, Mykhailo Fedorov, is the first prominent Ukrainian political figure to call for an election since Russia's invasion began.
Mr Federov was recently dumped as defence minister, with the election issue dividing Ukrainians.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is rejecting that call, saying that holding an election during wartime would "destroy the country".
Link copied Share Share article Holding a wartime election in Ukraine while active fighting with Russia continues would "destroy" the country by splitting Ukrainians, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
His comments, released to reporters on Sunday, were Mr Zelenskyy's first on the subject since ousted former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for a wartime poll in a bombshell address last week.
Mr Fedorov's surprise dismissal last month sparked widespread protests.
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