The presence of a television comedian-turned-political interloper in Ukraine's presidential race has eerie parallels to Donald Trump's candidacy in the 2016 US election. The main difference is that a country like the United States can probably survive its choice, whereas Ukraine cannot.
NEW YORK – If life imitates art, Nikolai Gogol, who had a keen grasp of the delusional and demented, could have scripted many of the key political events of recent years. Consider a story that begins with a woman announcing her presidential candidacy and quickly becoming – despite her flaws – the favorite to win. But out of nowhere appears another candidate: a television star with no qualifications for public office.
NEW YORK – If life imitates art, Nikolai Gogol, who had a keen grasp of the delusional and demented, could have scripted many of the key political events of recent years. Consider a story that begins with a woman announcing her presidential candidacy and quickly becoming – despite her flaws – the favorite to win. But out of nowhere appears another candidate: a television star with no qualifications for public office.