Media all over the world is trying to understand the secret behind the success of 41-year-old comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is leading in the first round of the presidential election in Ukraine with almost twice the votes of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, while also attempting to find out the reasons for the latter's relative failure
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st April, 2019) Media all over the world is trying to understand the secret behind the success of 41-year-old comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is leading in the first round of the presidential election in Ukraine with almost twice the votes of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, while also attempting to find out the reasons for the latter's relative failure.The first round of the presidential race was held in Ukraine on March 31. According to the country's Central Election Commission (CEC), after processing over 90 percent of the ballots, none of the candidates gained the necessary number of votes to win in the first round: Zelenskiy received over 30 percent of votes, while Poroshenko ranked second with just under 16 percent.
According to the Ukrainian legislation, if a candidate cannot secure more than half of the votes in the first round, a runoff should be held. It is slated for April 21.
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko ranked third with over 13 percent of votes, and the leader of the Opposition Platform � For Life party, Yuriy Boyko, is coming fourth with 11.53 percent.
COMEDIAN WITH NO EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS
Many media outlets note Zelenskiy's creative approach to the election campaign and an emphasis on young voters.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the entertainer counted on a high turnout of young voters, who are eager for change in the country and dissatisfied with economic stagnation. The newspaper added that many citizens of the country feel that the pledges of the 2014 Euromaidan have not been fulfilled.
At the same time, the candidate preferred to participate in comedy shows instead of holding traditional rallies and meetings with the press. The newspaper also wrote that ping-pong tables had been set up at Zelenskiy's headquarters and the comedian promised to give an interview to a journalist who wins the tournament.
The Politico newspaper said that the atmosphere at Zelenskiy's headquarters was "carnival-like," as young supporters were waiting for the first exit polls over a glass of wine or a beer, playing ping-pong and air hockey.
However, the outlet noted that the candidate has never held public office before, and wondered if he has the skills to lead a country with a population of over 40 million people, which faces different domestic and foreign policy challenges: from the conflict in the east to widespread corruption and stagnant economy.
Zelenskiy's political views in general remain relatively unknown. During the election campaign, he avoided meetings with journalists and refused to participate in televised debates with other candidates.
The French Liberation newspaper noted that although Zelenskiy's victory in the first round was predicted by public opinion polls, his success, like Poroshenko's failure, makes a striking impression.
As the newspaper explained, the figure of the comedian, who appeared in campaign commercials as a history teacher who became the president of the country by accident, inspired Ukrainians who were frustrated by the corrupt political elite, which Poroshenko is a part of.
DISCONTENT WITH POROSHENKO'S POLICIES
Many Western media note public dissatisfaction with the country's incumbent president. In particular, leading French periodicals believe that the reason for Poroshenko's noticeable defeat in the first round was the failure to fight corruption, which was one of the goals of Euromaidan movement that has brought Poroshenko to power.
According to Le Figaro newspaper, a country with a population of some 40 million people, which is standing "on the threshold of the European Union," is now one of the poorest in Europe and is experiencing the worst political crisis since gaining an independence in 1991.
At the same time, the Hill newspaper reported that Poroshenko had faced criticism for suspected corruption. Politico also has noted the growing discontent with his leadership.
Analysts of the Spanish El Pais newspaper blamed the same factors: corruption, oligarchy and the population getting weary of it. Its publication about election said that veteran politicians tanked due to these circumstances, while Zelenskiy "has risen to the top."
The Washington Post newspaper noted that, unlike Zelenskiy, Poroshenko had "doubled down on patriotic themes" in his election campaign: promotion of the Ukrainian language, support for the military, and the religious conflict in Ukraine,
WITHOUT ANY HOPE FOR SECOND ROUND
Le Monde wrote that Poroshenko avoided a "humiliating drop-out" in the first round only because of the failure of another "heavyweight" on the Ukrainian political stage - Tymoshenko, who was running for Ukrainian presidency for the third time and ranked third in the race.
Politico has said that Tymoshenko accused the government of rigging the election, but did not provide any evidence. The Guardian also reported that Tymoshenko published an exit poll, according to which she ranked second, and urged her supporters to be vigilant.
The Guardian reported that the election in Ukraine sparked fears of fraud and other possible violations. Ukrainian police reported several hundred violations on Sunday, however, as the newspaper noted, there were no reports of major violations or violence. The UK-based Independent newspaper wrote that election irregularities were limited and insignificant.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Ukrainian police had registered more than 1,700 violations at the election, including illegal campaigning, the removal of ballot papers and attempts to buy votes, noticing, however, that the officials said the "infractions were not significant." Politico also wrote about thousands of complaints on the election day in Ukraine.
