Ukrainian comedian stirs up election campaign
The popular comedian Volodymyr Zelensky announced on New Year's Eve that he will run for president in the Ukrainian elections on 31 March. In the polls in November he was already ahead of acting President Poroshenko. Zelensky has no experience in politics but plays the president in a TV series. Commentators look forward to an exciting campaign.
Things won't get boring with Zelensky
Echo of Moscow is pleased about Zelensky's candidacy:
“Many may be put off by his lack of political and administrative experience, however Ukraine will not vote with its head but with its heart, and to protest - and that's a good thing. He has adopted a very anti-Russian stance in recent years. ... But regardless who wins the election, to hope for an improvement in Russian-Ukrainian relations would be naive. ... All candidates are compelled to deliver harsh anti-Russian rhetoric because nobody can get over Crimea. ... Right now Zelensky is the best option for Ukraine and for Russia. At least things won't get boring with him. And a good joke can warm you up even in the winter cold, if perchance the gas is suddenly turned off.”
Cabaretist putting a wrench in the works
Now the elections are really getting interesting, Rzeczpospolita comments:
“It can already be said that this presidential election will be among the most unpredictable in Ukraine's recent history. The country has actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, who in the final minutes of the last year officially announced his candidacy, to thank for that. ... The most recent polls indicate that Zelensky and Petro Poroshenko would receive around ten percent of the vote each, vying for second place. Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is currently in the lead by several percentage points.”