Volodymyr Zelensky is the next president of Ukraine. The Ukrainians elected him consciously, freely and democratically.
Kiev, Apr.22.– With over 99% of ballots counted as of 14:30 on April 22, showman Volodymyr Zelensky wins the second round of the 2019 presidential election with 73.22% of the vote. The incumbent head of state, Petro Poroshenko, receives 24.46%. The voter turnout in the second round of presidential elections in Ukraine reached 62.09%, a bit lower than in the first round.
In his speech after polling stations were closed and the first exit poll results were announced, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Ukrainians and his family for their support. "I thank the Ukrainians who supported me and the Ukrainians who made a different choice. I promise you all that I will never let you down," Zelensky said.
Petro Poroshenko, in turn, accepted the will of the people and congratulated the opponent. This is a European style - to greet the winner immediately after the exit polls, without waiting for the announcement of official election results by the CEC. This is what has been going on for decades in countries with a developed democracy, and this is what is building a bridge not only between the two people who were coming to victory but also between their supporters.
Addressing foreign journalists, Poroshenko said: "I want to thank you for such great attention to the elections in Ukraine. I am very glad that they were held freely, fairly and democratically."
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