Comedian Zelensky wins the Ukrainian presidency
Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has won a landslide victory in the Ukrainian presidential election.
Zelensky, who dominated the first round of voting three weeks ago, won more than 70% support.
Zelensky, 41, who has no political experience, challenged incumbent president Petro Poroshenko, who had been in power since 2014, and won over 24% of the vote.
- Ukrainian President and Presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko reacts at his campaign headquarters following a presidential elections in Kiev.
The Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported that Poroshenko, who was running for a new term, conceded defeat and called to congratulate his opponent whilst stressing that he is not quitting politics. He warned that a new inexperienced Ukrainian president could result in the Ukraine quickly returning to Russia’s orbit of influence
The result is being seen as a huge blow to Poroshenko and a rejection of Ukraine’s establishment.
Zelensky is best known for starring in a satirical television series in which his character accidentally becomes Ukrainian president.
The president, with a mandate of 5 years, holds significant powers over the security, defence and foreign policy of the country.
