Thread by @Matthew_Kupfer

A few thoughts on Zelenskiy's victory in #UkraineElections2019:
1) Personal views on Zelenskiy aside, this is a win for Ukrainian democracy, and therefore for #Ukraine. Poroshenko admits as much.
2) It shows both the people & the state can hold free, fair, competitive elections.

3) It shows the country is much less divided than many believe: over 70% voted for Zelenskiy. Even in 1st round, the old "East vs. West" divide was limited to a few regions.
4) It emphasizes the degree to which Ukrainian voters are not arch-nationalists, but pragmatists.

5) It shows that electoral strategies based upon the old "West vs. East" divide aren't particularly effective. Poroshenko ran on patriotic "Army! Language! Faith!" aimed at the more stereotypically nationalist west. He only won in one western region: Lviv Oblast.

6) It shows the real meat and potatoes of Ukrainians' grievances transcend region: corruption, bad economy, slow reforms, ongoing war.
7) It will demonstrate that governance is about more than the president. Zelenskiy is not experienced. He needs a strong team to be effective.

8) It will likely demonstrate the importance of parliament's role. We will see how Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party fares in Rada elections. That will have a major effect on what he can accomplish.

9a) Standard criticism of Zelenskiy is that he is not "pro-Ukraine" enough. I strongly doubt he will prove to be another Yanukovych. While he may tone down some cultural issues, I expect him to be de facto similar to Poroshenko in many ways & to handle these issues delicately.

9b) This should be seen as a success: the norms of post-Maidan #Ukraine will be strong enough to transcend the administration of the president whom Maidan brought to power.

10a) Despite claiming to be the adults in the room, the tendency of Poroshenko, some officials, and his supporters to accuse Zelenskiy's circle of ties the Russian FSB, to suggest his election is the "end of Ukraine," to invoke terms like "Little Russian" & insult Z supporters...

10b) ... is not responsible behavior. It looked particularly bad during this election because over 70 percent of Ukrainians are supporting Zelenskiy. Patriots must rid themselves of the idea that less 'traditionally nationalistic' citizens are lesser Ukrainians.

11) Why? Because #Ukraine is bigger than Poroshenko and it is bigger than Zelenskiy. It is bigger than east and west, Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking. This election — whatever you think of Zelenskiy — is yet another step on Ukraine's journey to European democracy.

12) And this vote never was a choice between Europe and #Russia. #Ukraine has already chosen Europe. There will be different views on getting there, handling the war in Donbas, dealing with Moscow, etc.

This is all part of healthy democracy.
#UkraineElections2019

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