VOA: The Comedian, the Miracle Worker, the Incumbent: Ukraine Set to Choose Next President
KYIV — Ukraine is preparing to choose a new president, with the first round of voting in scheduled for Sunday. The leading two candidates then will then face a run off two weeks later.
The winner faces daunting challenges in a country struggling to tackle corruption and kick-start a sluggish economy, and still at war with Russian-backed rebels in the east.
Although there are 39 candidates on the ballot, the election appears to be a three-way race between the incumbent Petro Poroshenko, the well-known politician Yulia Tymoshenko, and television comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was leading the polls with a week to go.
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WNU Editor: This past week I had some family from Ukraine visiting me. They are active in politics (they support front runner Volodymyr Zelenskiy), and this is their read of the situation. The number one issue in Ukraine right now is the need for change. The war, corruption, and the economy are important and critical issues, but change is what people want. Volodymyr Zelenskiy will win this first run, and the runner-up will be the incumbent Petro Poroshenk. These two men are the ones who will be facing each other in the final election, but what will put Volodymyr Zelenskiy over the top in the second run is that he will make Yulia Tymoshenko his coalition partner and First Minister/Prime Minister of his government. What will also guarantee a Volodymyr Zelenskiy win is that he is going to accommodate Russian-Ukrainian demands for a federal state where the regions will have more powers over cultural/language/and some fiscal manners. If what my relatives are saying is true, then yes, Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be the next President of Ukraine. In the event that Yulia Tymoshenko comes in second, his road to the Presidency will be harder. He and President Poroshenko do not see eye to eye on the critical issues.
More News On Ukraine's Presidential Election
Zelenskiy, Poroshenko, Tymoshenko remain leading presidential candidates -- Kyiv Post
Comedian Zelenskiy strengthens Ukraine presidential poll lead -- Reuters
Joker in the pack: A comedian could be about to win Ukraine’s presidential election -- CNBC
Last-Minute Lawsuit: Ukraine President Targets Oligarch's TV Channel Ahead Of Tight Election -- RFE
Ukraine election polls 2019: Voter payoffs and secret donations in 'dirtiest' race ever -- Express
Unpredictable election makes Ukraine's friends wary -- Reuters
Unpopular Russia Still Looms Large Over Ukraine Elections -- Gallop
