A pertinent lesson from the elections in Ukraine

Apr 25, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

A comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with very little experience in politics, won the presidential elections by a landslide in the Ukraine. He won 73% of the votes.
It is not the victory itself that is of significance, but rather, the magnitude of the victory, which has proven to be politically devastating to the more established parties, in particular the governing party led by billionaire Petro Poroshenko.
From all indications the elections were free and fair, and Poroshenko has conceded defeat, which augurs well for the Ukraine which currently is at the centre of a geo-political and ideological tension between Russia and other western powers, including the USA.
According to political analysts, the victory of Zelenskiy could see a softening of bilateral relations between Russia and the Ukraine, which was severely ruptured under the Poroshenko regime.
If there is one lesson from the Ukraine elections, it is that the electorate cannot be taken for granted, especially when it comes to the fundamental question of governance. The issue of corruption was a major platform for Zelenskiy, which resonated well with the electorate.
It remains to be seen how the new administration will address the issue of Crimea which is still a festering issue. So far, there is no indication that the territory which broke away from the Ukraine with Russian support is ready to mend fences.
Hydar Ally

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