Ukrainian Comedian Confirms Presidential Run
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published January 22, 2019 | 02:48 AM
Kiev, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2019 ) :A Ukrainian comedian who once played the country's president in a tv series confirmed Monday he would run for head of state in an unpredictable election set for March.
"Today, the first serious congress of the Servant of the People Party took place," Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook video that showed him with dozens of cheering supporters gathered around a table with pizza and drinks.
Zelensky, 40, won fans with his portrayal of the country's leader in a sitcom called Sluga Narodu (Servant of the People).
But it was no joke when he first announced on New Year's Eve he would seek to challenge incumbent Petro Poroshenko.
Zelensky's party, which is also called Servant of the People and was registered only a year ago, confirmed Monday that he would stand as their candidate.
Poroshenko, whose government is locked in a conflict with Moscow-backed insurgents in the industrial east, currently trails former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in opinion polls.
Despite the lighthearted feel of Zelensky's bid, his long-shot campaign has struck a chord with voters tired of corruption and the slow pace of reforms.
Zelensky currently has 8.8 percent support according to the latest polls, putting him in third place behind Poroshenko on 13.8 percent and Tymoshenko on 16 percent.
His supporters, mainly young people, say it is time for an outsider to refresh the country's political system and hail him as a "Ukrainian Reagan".
Critics meanwhile highlight Zelensky's lack of experience and point to the comic's ties to billionaire and Poroshenko foe Igor Kolomoisky, who is an owner of the television channel where Zelensky is a star.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
2 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
2 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
2 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
3 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
4 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
4 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
5 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
5 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
5 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
5 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
5 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
6 hours ago