Ukraine election: Comedian Zelensky wins presidency by landslide
Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has won a landslide victory in the country's presidential election, exit polls suggest.
The polls give the political newcomer, who dominated the first round of voting three weeks ago, more than 70% support.
Mr Zelensky, 41, challenged incumbent president Petro Poroshenko who has admitted defeat. The apparent result is being seen as a huge blow to Mr Poroshenko and a rejection of Ukraine's establishment.
"I will never let you down," Mr Zelensky told celebrating supporters on Sunday. "I'm not yet officially the president," he added. "But as a citizen of Ukraine I can say to all countries in the post-Soviet Union: Look at us. Anything is possible!"
See also: Ukrainian Presidential Debate Sparks Envy Among Russians And Belarusians – OpEd
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @04:38PM (2 children)
Comedians are typically not dumb, so there is hope.
(Score: 2) by driverless on Tuesday April 23 2019, @01:53PM (1 child)
They're also not experienced politicians, which is what's needed to handle the Ukraine's made-in-Moscow war. In peacetime a popular, close-to-the-people leader is a fine thing, but in a crisis and having to make tough decisions it may not be the best choice.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 24 2019, @10:08AM
it depends on his intentions.
my impression is that capable actors/comedians should make capable judges of character (since they are bullshitters themselves), therefore they CAN surround themselves with honest and capable counsel --- but this ability of theirs does not mean they are willing or capable of leading the country out of trouble (he could be a coward who's afraid to select advisors properly, or he could be an opportunist who just wants to steal everything that he can).