Ukraine election: What's next?

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Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer just Ukraine's favorite actor. He will now be their president!

The political novice beat out incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, taking more than 73 percent of the run-off ballots in what many have called a protest vote against the political establishment.

Political scientist Oleg Saakyan says that "people are voting for the image and doing it more to protest than to support one political course or another. Zelensky is appealing to bitterness and antipathy to the current political elites in general and to Poroshenko personally."

Many voters may have also voted for Zelensky's onscreen character, a high school teacher who accidentally becomes President of Ukraine in the hit TV show Servant of the People.

Zelensky will have a lot to prove to citizens of Europe's second poorest country and the only one in active war.

The two competitors Poroshenko and Zelenskiy meet in a one-on-one match at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, April 19, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Many Ukrainians consider the military standoff with Russia in the east of the country their most pressing concern. Kiev resident Igor Rasmanov says: "I think when the war stops, everything will improve. The country can't develop when there is a war."

On the eve of his victory, the new President-elect pledged to wage an "information war" to stop the hostilities in Donbass, but gave no further details.

Russia has said they are ready to negotiate, but for any deal to be made, Zelenksy would have to convince European Union leaders to remove their sanctions on Moscow.

Also, some Ukrainians feel Zelensky with his lack of political experience is no match for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think he will start falling on his knees in front of Putin, telling him to take Donbass, take Crimea, just don't make war in Ukraine. This threat currently exists, that we can lose part of our country," said Kiev resident Mikola.

Two women cast their votes in Kiev, April 21, 2019. /CGTN Photo

"Sociology shows that the war is the main problem," says Saakyan. "The president will have to give promises and make decisions that society will or will not support."

Zelensky would also need a lot of support if he wants to implement the changes he is proposing to tackle the country's corruption.

As president he wants to overhaul law enforcement and strip lawmakers and judges of legal immunity. Zelensky also has to improve the economic situation in a country where taxes are high and salaries are low. His team says he will do what is needed to maintain economic stability and stay on course with Ukraine's IMF program.

Yet the greatest challenge facing the country's new president is the government itself. The country's parliament is divided and Zelensky has not yet built any strong coalition partners.

Supporters of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko take part in the presidential election campaign in Kiev, March 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Despite conceding to his defeat, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to stay in politics, which too could hinder new President Volodymyr Zelensky's ability to push any policy changes through parliament.

"I believe Zelensky will succeed," says Kiev law student Evgeniy Tov, "but I don't think he will be able to do anything before the end of the summer with this current parliament. He needs his own team to support his ideas."

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on October 27, but there is no guarantee a more Zelensky favorable outcome will emerge.

Moreover, the country's electorate could be very disappointed down the road if Zelensky doesn't live up to the president he plays on screen.

A screen displays preliminary results of the first round of Ukraine's presidential election at the Central Electoral Commission headquarters, Kiev, April 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Ukraine's entire political system needs reforms, says Saakyan.

"We see a generation of new Ukraine that is ready to live in an open democratic country, taking responsibility and being politically active, but there are many institutions that are still on Soviet rails."

One thing this second round of voting proved is that the people of Ukraine want change. However, it will take a lot for the showman Zelensky to prove, not only to the Ukrainian people but also to the world, that he is the man to do it.