Ukraine President's Party Tipped To Win Parliament Vote
Muhammad Irfan Published July 21, 2019 | 11:10 AM
Kiev, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2019 ) :Ukrainians on Sunday went to the polls to elect a new parliament as comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky seeks to bring in political novices and consolidate his power.
Zelensky's newly-created party is expected to win the largest share of the votes in the election that should usher in a new era in the country dominated up to now by politicians who grew up when the country was part of the Soviet Union.
The leader's party Servant of the People -- named after a sitcom in which he played a president -- is predicted to get roughly half of the vote even though it barely existed before Zelensky won a landslide victory in an April presidential vote.
Zelensky's rise has been viewed as a rejection of Ukraine's political elite for failing to improve living standards, root out corruption and end the conflict with Russian-backed separatists that began in 2014 after a popular uprising ousted a pro-Moscow president.
The Ukrainian president must share power with parliament, which will nominate a prime minister and form a government.
Speaking in the run-up to the vote, Zelensky promised to put together a "technocratic government." "My goal is to make Ukraine one of the fastest growing and developing European economies," he said in a video address.
Servant of the People may fall short of a majority and may need to form a coalition.
The ballot is expected to dramatically transform the makeup of the legislature, with analysts predicting that between 50 and 70 percent of the next parliament will be first-time MPs.
Out of the five parties leading in opinion polls, two are newly created -- Zelensky's own party and Golos (Voice), led by rock star Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
Packed with young people new to politics, the two parties have gone as far as banning any candidates who previously served as MPs from their lists.
Their candidates include businesspeople, athletes, and activists. Their average age is 37.
The 41-year-old Zelensky, who shocked Ukraine in April by becoming the country's youngest ever post-Soviet leader, also invited ordinary Ukrainians to run for his party.
- 'Lot of challenges' - On the last day of campaigning on Friday, Vakarchuk and his popular band Okean Elzy gave a free concert in Kiev to a chanting, mostly young, crowd.
"We understand that it will be difficult. We understand that we will face a lot of challenges. We are ready," Vakarchuk told supporters.
Golos is likely to enter parliament, with polls showing support of between four and seven percent.
In a boon for the Kremlin, a pro-Moscow party called Opposition Platform-For Life is the second most popular in opinion polls, with up to 13 percent of voter support.
The party's top candidate Viktor Medvedchuk, who has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is his daughter's godfather, is expected to return to parliament after a long absence.
Former president Petro Poroshenko's party -- now renamed European Solidarity -- and the party of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko have up to eight and nine percent respectively.
A total of 225 of parliament's 424 members are elected through party lists, while the rest are selected directly in single-member districts.
Parliamentary elections had been set to take place in October but Zelensky called early polls to cement his grip on power.
Polls opened at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) and close 12 hours later with exit polls expected immediately afterwards.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC all set to take up govt pleas challenging ruling against NAB amendments
Islamabad, Rawalpindi weather update: Rain breaks heat wave
PM calls for urgent steps to make exports more competitive
Interior Minister visits site of under construction Jail in Islamabad
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 10 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 10 May 2024
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
May 9 culprits must be brought to logical end: Hanif Abbasi
Sanchez escapes through dust and gravel for nervy Giro triumph
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to condemn May 9 attacks
Spain govt vows to block hostile BBVA bid for rival bank
NADRA holds open court to resolve public issues in Quetta
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Collective efforts vital to eradicate drugs addiction
4 hours ago -
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
5 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
5 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
5 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
6 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
7 days ago
-
Experts for ending child labour
9 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
9 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
12 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
12 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
12 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
13 days ago