Editor’s Note: With only a few days left until the April 21 second round vote in the presidential election, pitting President Petro Poroshenko against comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, around 18 percent of voters still haven’t made up their minds. The Kyiv Post asked Kyivans how they decide which candidate to support.
Serhiy Polishchuk
Software developer
“It all depends on the what’s been happening, and on the results that have been achieved (in the country) in the previous five years. I won’t hide it: I’m voting for Poroshenko.”
Mariya Yefremova
Accountant
“I don’t love Zelenskiy, and I voted against Poroshenko. I just cannot stand him – he (Poroshenko) keeps lying every day. I’ll vote for Zelenskiy, but because I’m against Poroshenko, not because I love Zelenskiy. Maybe it will be for nothing. We don’t know what kind (of president) he will be. But we have a chance with him. (With Poroshenko), there’s nothing to hope for. I naturally want to take a chance.”
Andriy Semyroz
Businessman
“I make my decision based on the information that I have, and that which I get from the media. It also depends on how the person has acted before. I voted for Zelenskiy (in the first round), and I’ve seen this person from various points of view.”
Halyna Solovyova
Medical doctor
“I’ve analyzed the situation. I’ve noted the incumbent president’s achievements, notwithstanding the fact that the country’s at war. I believe these achievements are considerable. As Ukraine’s representative on the international stage, he’s performing his duties well.”
Oksana Kyselyova
Florist
“It’s a weighty decision. (To make it) I read and analyze what I’ve read on Facebook, what I’ve seen on TV. But you shouldn’t pay attention to everything you see on TV. I’ll vote for Poroshenko.”
Andriy Didukh
Student
“As for second election round, I look at the successes of our president. He’s steering the country’s course towards the EU, NATO, increasing the capacities of the army, church independence, and so on. And looking at the other candidate, you can’t be sure what to expect. He’s probably just a tool in an oligarch’s hands for winning back their former influence. I’ll act in the national interest.”
Mariya Kovalenko
Student
“How shall I put it? When I voted (in the first round), I voted for another candidate as I have totally different political views. And now I, like a lot of other people, have to vote to choose a lesser evil. I’d quite like to spoil my ballot, to be honest. I don’t want to choose the lesser evil… Neither of the candidates is my candidate – that’s how it looks. But I’ve decided to vote for Poroshenko, because I don’t want to vote for someone who has no political program at all.”
Yevhen Duka
Medical doctor
“It’s the political program that I look at. But we also know the candidates, who they are. Some of them have shown their true nature over the last five years. That’s what I can rely on. I don’t think I’ll vote for Poroshenko.”
Natallya Baturevych
Pensioner
“I haven’t decided yet. I don’t like either of the candidates. I’ll watch their debate, and see what they talk about. I want to know what they’ll offer us retired people. And the question of the war, of course – how they will promise (to stop it?) And there’s the issue of further cooperation with the European Union. Plus, what will they say about the younger generation? Young people today can’t afford any flats, either with state support or without it. But I doubt they’ll even mention this.”
