Comedian Volodimir Zelensky, 41, is the new president of Ukraine. He beat outgoing president Petro Poroscenko, who was aiming for a second term, by a large majority of more than 70%. According to the first data from the exit polls, he remained at around 25,3%. He admitted defeat: “I'm leaving the presidency of the country from next month. So he decided most of the Ukrainians and I accept this decision, ”he said congratulating his rival on the victory.
The second round of elections is therefore coming to an end, which decides the fate of a central country in Europe and still divided by a creeping war in the eastern part of the country between those who intend to reaffirm Moscow's influence and those who instead would like to detach themselves from age-old "subjection" in the against the Russian giant. Zelensky has not made any promises or made any commitments on the fate of Crimea, annexed by the Russians and now probably considered lost. Probably, unlike Poroschenko who had adopted a more nationalistic tone, Zelesky will instead try to negotiate with Vladimir Putin on the Donbass area starting from the Minsk agreements which have so far been disregarded.
Vladimir Zelensky è was fined for showing journalists the filled out ballot paper before placing it in the urn. The presidential candidate, given as a favorite, realizing the gaffe joked with reporters: “Ah, is it against the law? So I didn't show you anything...". But it was too late now. In the early afternoon, the police showed up at his headquarters and made him fill out the report (all fully documented by images). “Right, I broke the law and the law is the same for everyone,” Zelensky commented. Dmitry Razumkov, his campaign spokesman, posted photos of the minutes on Facebook. “New president, new rules,” he wrote. “Everyone – he added – must respect the law”.
Ukrainians have been showing up for the ballot in large numbers since 8am and Zelensky's landslide victory is no surprise. The actor, without any previous political experience, starred in a successful TV series in which he played the role of a teacher who unexpectedly became president. A script that has now become reality.
