Andrew Witthoeft

Ukraine has no time for clowning

In the run-up to the presidential elections in March, the storyline of a popular Ukrainian comedy – in which an ordinary Joe unexpectedly becomes president – is seemingly becoming reality. Running for president, comedian and star of the show “Servant of the People” Volodymyr Zelenskiy is currently polling strongly against his rivals, including incumbent Petro Poroshenko and long-term opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. While his candidacy and growing popularity may look like a comedy scenario, it is a drama with potentially serious consequences for the country.