You're reading: RFE/RL: Rock star Vakarchuk sets up political party ahead of general elections

2019 Parliamentary Election

RFE/RL: Rock star Vakarchuk sets up political party ahead of general elections

By Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Published May 16, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, frontman of the popular Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy, speaks during his announcement that he will run for Ukrainian parliament on May 16, 2019.

Photo by Volodymyr Petrov

Ukrainian rock star Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has announced that he is setting up a political party ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.

Vakarchuk said on May 16 that he will lead the Holos (Voice) party in the elections because parliament has “turned into a toxic swamp that drains our future.”