Zelenskyy Dismisses Calls for Wartime Election Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected calls for a presidential election during the ongoing war with Russia, stating that such a move could "destroy" the nation. His comments come in response to Mykhailo Fedorov, the recently ousted defense minister, who became the first major political figure to advocate for an election since the invasion began in February 2022.

Zelenskyy articulated his concerns during a meeting with reporters, emphasizing that conducting elections amidst active combat would further divide the country. Current Ukrainian law prohibits elections during wartime, and analysts highlight the significant security risks and logistical challenges posed by millions of displaced Ukrainians, both abroad and on the front lines.

While Zelenskyy's approval rating remains stable at around 60%, public sentiment appears cautious. A recent poll indicated that 57% of Ukrainians prefer to hold elections only after the conflict has concluded. Notably, Zelenskyy acknowledged the need for security guarantees from international partners before even considering the possibility of a wartime election.

Source: www.abc.net.au