Zelenskiy declares presidential candidacy, Vakarchuk silent

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the popular comedian and media
manager, officially declared his presidential candidacy during the New Year’s
Eve broadcast of his sketch comedy television show. The next day, he unveiled
his campaign website, urging his supporters to join his campaign regardless of
their background. “What’s important is that you were never in politics, and
that’s the main thing,” he said in the advertisement. Zelenskiy didn’t indicate
any more of his political positions than the few revealed in his late December interview.

Meanwhile, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, the U.S.-educated
rock star widely speculated to be competing for the presidency, has yet to
declare his candidacy. Vakarchuk has made several political statements in
recent months, indicating his intention to compete. He represents a strong
pro-EU, pro-NATO and pro-IMF position.

Zenon Zawada: From what
is apparent so far, Zelenskiy understands that his election run is a spectacle
that is unlikely to result in his presidency. So we expect that he will use it
to expose the folly of Ukrainian politics, propose some unique and irreverent
policies, as well as promote his own career as a populist politician. At this
point, he is certain to qualify for parliament with an influential faction.

His campaign is backed by Igor Kolomoisky, a
billionaire oligarch who was targeted by the president’s “deoligarchization”
campaign that turned out to be politically motivated. Kolomoisky’s 1+1
television network continues to broadcast a television series in which
Zelenskiy plays the role of a noble president. So we also expect Zelenskiy will
be considering Kolomoisky’s political interests, at minimum.

As for Vakarchuk, he is losing valuable time to
declare his candidacy. If he doesn’t make an official announcement in the next
two weeks, he will have lost much momentum and won’t be considered a serious
candidate.