Comedian wins Ukraine presidental election by a landslide!
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Ukrainian presidential candidate and popular comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy makes the victory sign during the debate with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, April 19, 2019. Friday is the last official day of election canvassing in Ukraine as all presidential candidates and their campaigns will be barred from campaigning on Saturday, the day before the vote. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
KIEV, Ukraine — A comedian whose only political experience consists of playing a president on TV cruised toward a huge landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election Sunday in what was seen as a reaction against the country's entrenched corruption and low standard of living.
Zelenskiy, promised wide changes at the top echelons of government and said his No. 1 task would be securing the release of about 170 Ukrainian military members taken prisoner in the east or in Russia.
Ukraine has been plagued by rampant graft, a sickly economy and a grinding, five-year war with Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country that has killed over 13,000 people.
Zelenskiy, 41, became famous nationwide for his comic portrayal in a Ukrainian TV series of a high school teacher who becomes president after a video rant against corruption goes viral. In a case of life imitating television, Zelenskiy denounced graft as a real candidate.
"I have grown up under the old politicians and only have seen empty promises, lies and corruption," said Lyudmila Potrebko, a 22-year-old computer programmer who voted for Zelenskiy. "It's time to change that."
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After his apparent election, Zelenskiy said he would engage Russia to try to end the conflict. He also said, without giving details, that "we will make a very powerful information war" in order to stop the fighting.
He also suggested, in a remark that could grate on Russia, that his victory could be a model for other former Soviet states that want to move forward from ossified politics: "To all the countries of the former Soviet Union — look at us, everything is possible."
Yep-- they elected a comedian as president-- its no joke!
Maybe they were tired of the same ole same ole. I hope he does well!
You are absolutely right Krishna. It was the second round of the election, as there was no majority of the voters winner in the first round.
Yulia Tymochenko was eliminated. In this case, the prognosticators predictions were right. If Tymochenko could not win in the first round, Porochenko would fall to the comedian in the second round.
Sure as the world. Got the news first hand from Julia.
Julia has concerns based on the comedians behaviour at times, but wishes him the best and hopes he brings peace.
If comedians can win it, and Ronald Reagan proved that actors can, my preferences for POTUS would by Michael Douglas (The American President) or Martin Sheen (The West Wing).
LOL!!! We got Trump instead! LOL. Honestly, he doesn't bother me.... I'm doing well. I think more people with fresh ideas should run. Hell, if Trump can win, any one else can! Being president is not an "exclusive" club, like some insiders think it should be. I think whoever has the best ideas and can implement them should go for it! Honestly, I'm tired of all the DC idiots.... Just saying
Good comment. As you know I'm not a Democrat nor a Republican, and not even an American, and I have both liberal and conservative beliefs - I don't judge issues with partisan loyalties, and as for all the contenders who have already thrown their hat in the ring for 2020, my choice would be the most brilliant one, the most accomplished one, one who has some experience governing and has no extremist views, a dignity that would be respected by those around the world, and that would be the Rhodes Scholar.
Zelenski elected president of the Ukraine. I too hope he does well.
Wonder if Putin deems him a threat?
Would this Zelenski dare to entertain the thought of having the Ukraine join the UN and the EU? That could be interesting.