Ukraine's President and his comedian challenger Volodymr Zelensky, both underwent blood tests on live television ahead of a debate
Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience who played the role of the country's President on a sitcom for three years, is the frontrunner in the race after winning the first round of voting.A drug and alcohol test was one of his conditions for taking part in a debate with Petro Poroshenko, as the incumbent seeks to make up ground ahead of the run-off on April 21.Poroshenko, who has been in his post since 2014, agreed to the stipulation, live-streaming his test on Facebook.
The incident ensured the race between the two candidates descended further into a media spectacle, which will only continue when the two face off in a debate inside Kiev's 70,000-seat stadium -- the nation's largest arena, which was renovated for the Euro 2012 soccer tournament. The event -- in a stadium where Madonna, Shakira and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have performed in recent years -- reflects the huge domestic interest in the race.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine’s presidential race takes bizarre turn as candidates take televised drug testsComedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy is facing off against President Petro Poroshenko in Ukraine's national election.
Read more »
Comedian Zelenskiy takes lead in Ukraine presidential election: exit pollThe first exit poll in Ukraine's presidential election showed comedian Volo...
Read more »
Ukraine puts a TV comedian in pole position to be presidentVolodymyr Zelensky wins the first round of presidential elections
Read more »
Comedian Leads in First Round as Ukraine Votes for PresidentA comedian with no political experience was poised to win the first round of Ukraine’s presidential elections Sunday as disillusionment with the political elite simmers ahead of a likely runoff on April 21.
Read more »
Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy played a president on TV, now favorite in Ukraine's real-life presidential electionComedian Volodymyr Zelensky played a president on TV, now favorite in Ukraine's real-life presidential election.
Read more »
Drug tests and dueling videos: Ukraine’s presidential election enters second, more surreal roundLess than a week into the second round of campaigning for the leadership of this post-Soviet nation, the Ukrainian election has come to resemble a reality show.
Read more »
Ukraine presidential rivals undergo televised drug testsThe two remaining candidates in Ukraine's presidential race underwent telev...
Read more »
Comedian rips up the play book in Ukraine election successVolodymyr Zelenskiy has 3.3 million followers on Instagram, more than French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British PM Theresa May and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte combined
Read more »
A TV comedian wins the first round of Ukraine’s presidential electionVolodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who plays the president in a TV show, will likely be the next president of Ukraine
Read more »