Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in Kyiv, Lviv, and Dnipro on Tuesday to reject a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to hold national elections while the country remains under Russian military threat. The demonstrations, organized by civil society groups and opposition parties, mark one of the most visible internal challenges to the government's wartime leadership since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Why the proposal sparked outrage
Fedorov, who also serves as Minister of Digital Transformation, argued in a televised address on Monday that elections would demonstrate Ukraine's resilience and commitment to democratic norms, even amid ongoing hostilities. He suggested that digital voting infrastructure, already used for some administrative services, could be adapted to allow Ukrainians abroad and in frontline areas to cast ballots securely.
But protesters and political analysts quickly dismissed the plan as both impractical and dangerous. "You cannot hold a free and fair election while Russian missiles are falling on Kharkiv and while millions of citizens are displaced or living under occupation," said Olena Shevchenko, a protest organizer in Kyiv. "This is not about democracy; it is about creating a distraction from the government's failures."
The Ukrainian constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022. Changing that would require a constitutional amendment, a process that legal experts say is impossible under current conditions. Moreover, the Central Election Commission has repeatedly stated that voter rolls are outdated and that large parts of the country's territory are inaccessible.
Political and international reactions
The proposal has also strained relations within the ruling party. Several members of the Servant of the People faction, including parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, have publicly distanced themselves from Fedorov's remarks. In a statement, Stefanchuk emphasized that "the priority remains the defense of the state, not electoral campaigns."
International allies have been cautious. A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU "understands the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people" but stressed that "any electoral process must be safe, inclusive, and in line with Ukrainian law." The United States, through its embassy in Kyiv, issued a similar statement, urging all parties to focus on military and humanitarian needs.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained silent on the matter, fueling speculation that Fedorov's proposal may have been a trial balloon to test public opinion. Political observers note that Zelenskyy's own mandate expires in 2024, and under martial law, elections have been postponed indefinitely. Some see Fedorov's move as an attempt to position himself for a post-war political landscape.
Public sentiment and broader implications
Public opinion appears overwhelmingly against the idea. A recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 78% of Ukrainians oppose holding elections before the end of martial law. Many respondents cited security concerns, while others argued that elections would deepen divisions at a time when national unity is critical.
The protests have also drawn attention to broader issues of governance and accountability. In a country where corruption has long been a concern, some demonstrators chanted slogans demanding that the government focus on rooting out internal abuses rather than organizing votes. "We are fighting for our survival, not for photo opportunities," said Andriy Melnyk, a veteran from Zaporizhzhia who joined the rally in Kyiv.
As the debate continues, the government faces a delicate balancing act. It must address the legitimate concerns raised by Fedorov's proposal while reassuring the public that democratic processes will not be rushed or compromised. For now, the streets of Ukraine's cities have delivered a clear message: elections can wait until the war is won.
For more on the latest developments across Europe, see our midday briefing from earlier this week and the evening update.
