- Title: UKRAINE: 'Darth Vader' campaigns for Ukrainian mayors' offices
- Date: 22nd May 2014
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (MAY 22, 2014) (REUTERS) THE INTERNET PARTY OF UKRAINE'S CANDIDATE FOR THE MAYOR OF KIEV AND ODESSA, KNOWN AS DARTH VADER, ARRIVING IN THE SIDE CAR OF A MOTORCYCLE DRIVEN BY STORM TROOPER STATUE DARTH VADER WALKING IN A PARK DARTH VADER LOOKING AT A VIEW OF THE DNIEPRO RIVER DARTH VADER WALKING BY A STATUE DARTH VADER WALKING DARTH VADER SITTING ON A MAKESHIFT THRONE PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DARTH VADER, INTERNET PARTY OF UKRAINE'S CANDIDATE FOR KIEV AND ODESSA MAYOR, SAYING: "It will all end with a tick on the voting slip for the name of Darth Vader because for the past 20 years in Ukraine there has been a circus. And what has resulted from this? Nothing good. And therefore, I am the only one who can bring Ukraine out of this predicament." DARTH VADER SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE DARTH VADER WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER FOR HIS OPPONENT VITALY KLITSCHKO/ SIGN THAT READS "For Klitschko" A GIRL SITTING ON DARTH VADER'S THRONE A MAN DRESSED AS A STORM TROOPER STARTING THE MOTOR CYCLE DARTH VADER DRIVING OFF
- Embargoed: 6th June 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA940MOR4C9DASG4L43ERCCU8UO
- Story Text: The Ukrainian Internet Party candidate for Kiev and Odessa mayor known as Darth Vader continued his electoral campaign in Kiev on Thursday (May 22) and declared his intention to save Ukraine from 20 years of chaos.
Arriving with his Clone Trooper the legendary Star Wars villain was immediately surrounded by photographers and onlookers and began a short tour of the park.
"It will all end with a tick on the voting slip for the name of Darth Vader because for the past 20 years in Ukraine there has been a circus," Darth Vader told the surrounding crowd.
"And what has resulted from this? Nothing good."
"I am the only one who can take Ukraine from this predicament," he said.
The Sith lord, or at least an unnamed costumed protester often seen on Kiev's Independence Square flanked by his loyal storm troopers during the winter protests, has been chosen as the official candidate of the Ukrainian Internet party (UIP) which has become known for its theatrical public stunts.
In late March Darth Vader announced he was running for president in a bid to restore glory to the downtrodden nation.
His bid was rejected by the central electoral commission but he was later formally registered to run for mayor of Kiev and Odessa. He then set about to win the electorate by uploading promotional videos and touring Kiev and Odessa.
A recent campaign advert showed Vader leading his army up Odessas famous Potemkin steps in Odessa to the Star Wars soundtrack.
The UIP was registered in 2010 and aims to create an electronic government in Ukraine, transition to digital media and offer free computer courses to all citizens.
In Kiev, Vader is up against former boxer turned politician Vitaly Klitschko.
The election takes place on May 25, the same day that Ukraine is due to elect a new president. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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