Long way to go for comedian-turned Ukrainian president-elect

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Europe

Politics in Ukraine have always been a bit theatrical, so it might be of no surprise that the country has chosen one from the entertainment industry to lead them for the next five years.

Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, 41, won more than 73 percent of the votes in the second round of presidential elections on Sunday.

The next Ukrainian president thanked a long list of people in a speech from his campaign headquarters on Sunday. He also addressed former Soviet Union countries with what many felt as a jab at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Thank you, everybody. I will say as a citizen of Ukraine to our neighbor countries: Everything is possible!"

Zelensky is well known for his leading role in the hit TV show "Servant of the People," in which he plays a high school teacher who accidentally becomes president of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech following the announcement of the first exit poll in the Ukrainian presidential election at Zelensky's campaign headquarters in Kiev, April 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo

But now, Zelensky will find himself without a script as the country's real top man.

"Everybody has been watching him for 15 years," said Daniel, a young Zelensky supporter. "I mean he's making great TV shows, he's a great guy."

Vladimir, 57, supports a fresh face in Kiev.

"We want the youth to come to power, to break this corrupted, oligarch pyramid of power. It's time to open the road to the youth. The youth is the future."

Zelensky may know how to entertain an audience, but can he run a country?

His main opponent, 53-year-old incumbent president and candy tycoon Petro Poroshenko, took office in 2014.

People gather at a square in Kiev during Ukraine's presidential election, April 21, 2019. /CGTN Photo

Poroshenko campaigned hard on his political accomplishments but has failed to end the military confrontation with Russia and increased utility taxes which hurt the poor.

Following the first exit polls, Poroshenko conceded defeat to Zelensky, saying he would leave office, but not politics.

"My dear Ukrainians, this month I will leave the post of the head of state. This is how the majority of Ukrainians have decided, and I accept this decision. I will leave the office, but I want to announce firmly: I will not leave politics."

Even when walking into polling stations for the second time, some voters remained unsure of their choice, such as Kiev resident Ludmilla, who said, "I wouldn't like the old one, but I am afraid of the new one. There are no options."

Like many Ukrainians, Olga is concerned about corruption in her country, "I expect the corruption to be dealt with. Both candidates promise it, but what will really be done by the one elected by the majority?"

Polling stations were not open in non-governmental controlled areas off the east of the country, forcing those who wished to cast their vote to go to Ukrainian controlled territory.

A man casts his vote in Kiev, Ukraine, April 21, 2019. /CGTN Photo

More than 30,000 polling stations were open including those in foreign embassy's – yet Ukrainians in Russia had to travel to Helsinki, Finland to vote.

Polish President Andrzej Duda was the first to congratulate Zelensky for his win, while the U.S. embassy in Ukraine posted a respective statement on its Facebook page.

"We congratulate President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky and thank all those who contributed to ensuring Ukraine's presidential election was conducted in a peaceful manner," the post reads.

More than 62 percent of registered voters cast their ballots on Sunday in one of the country's most unusual presidential elections.

While Zelensky may have no political experience, most Ukrainians went with the popular Ukrainian saying "Noah's Ark was built by an amateur. The professionals built Titanic."

Zelensky may have landed the job, but he has still a long way to go to win Ukrainian hearts. His ability to control tensions with Russia, bring corruption out of the shadows, steer the country closer to the EU and handle its crumbling economy, without a script, is what the world will be watching.

This could very well be Zelensky's greatest performance ever.