The Irish Times view on Ukraine’s election: a comic’s turn
This year has thrown up the possibility of another dramatic change in political landscape
Sofia Tolmacheva at her house close to the war zone in Pisky, eastern Ukraine. ‘I don’t believe in any of these politicians anymore.’ Photograph: Roger Waleson/Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Anyone feeling drained by the upheaval of Brexit should spare a thought for the people of Ukraine. Since 2003 they have lived through two revolutions, dizzying swings in geopolitical direction between East and West, the annexation of Crimea by the Kremlin and an undeclared war with Russia that has claimed 13,000 lives.
Most Ukrainians surely long for a spell of stability, but this year has thrown up the possibility of another dramatic change in their political landscape. It has come in the form of Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian who decided to run for president despite having no relevant experience beyond playing a hapless head of state in a popular television show. Surveys made him the strong favourite to win the first round of voting and a likely run off on April 21st, ahead of incumbent Petro Poroshenko and two-time former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. That millions would even consider choosing a political novice to lead the country is yet another indictment of the ruling elite.