A month after his election, former comedian Volodymyr Zelensky took over as president of Ukraine. He vowed to campaign for the territorial integrity of the former Soviet republic. “I undertake to defend with all my actions the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” said Zelensky at the festive inauguration in parliament.
His team said in a statement on Friday that the country needs “a parliament that functions.”
His first act was to dissolve the parliament. This has already been speculated because Zelensky does not have his own majority there to enforce reforms.
He starred as a history teacher who was unexpectedly elected president in the comedy series ‘Servant of the People’. Now originally stepped into the parliament to rule the country.
The 41-year-old is the youngest president the country has ever had. He stands for a pro-European course.
The actor Zelensky, who had played for years in a television series the president, replaces the retired Petro Poroshenko.
According to Ukrainian media, representatives of Russia were not invited. Ukraine is at war with Russia over the conflict in the east of the country.
Actor and a comedian Volodymyr Zelensky announced his candidacy on 31 December, few took it seriously, but after an unprecedented campaign largely waged through social media, he won more than 73% in the second round on 21 April, trouncing Poroshenko.
Read also: Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky celebrates his victory