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Ukraine comic v oligarch presidential election debate begins Ukraine presidential rivals trade barbs in stadium debate
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine's rival presidential candidates have begun a long-awaited head-to-head televised debate at Kiev's giant Olympic stadium. Ukraine's rival presidential candidates have held a long-awaited head-to-head televised debate at Kiev's giant Olympic stadium.
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky is the clear favourite for Sunday's second-round vote, according to opinion polls. Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky and incumbent president Petro Poroshenko shook hands before launching scathing attacks on one another.
His rival, incumbent president Petro Poroshenko, argues that Mr Zelensky is a political novice unfit for such a demanding job. Mr Zelensky is the clear favourite for Sunday's second-round vote, polls say.
But many Ukrainians are fed up with cronyism and corruption. But Mr Poroshenko argues that he is a political novice unfit for such a demanding job.
Mr Zelensky has relied on a slick social media campaign to tap into the frustration of many younger Ukrainians with establishment politicians. Mr Zelensky has relied on a slick social media campaign to tap into the frustration of many younger Ukrainians with establishment politicians, cronyism and corruption.
The debate in the capital's 70,000-seat stadium will be the first and only direct clash between the two rivals in the campaign. The debate in the capital's 70,000-seat stadium - where Mr Poroshenko's supporters appeared to outnumber Mr Zelensky's - was the first and only direct clash between the two rivals in the campaign.
The stadium has been divided into two halves for the debate, with a stage for each candidate to speak from at each end of the pitch. The stadium had been divided into two halves for the debate, with a stage for each candidate to speak from at each end of the pitch - but Mr Poroshenko and Mr Zelensky ended up speaking on the same stage.
However Mr Poroshenko and Mr Zelensky are giving their opening statements from the same stage. What did they say?
As the candidates arrived, Mr Poroshenko's supporters in the stadium appeared to outnumber Mr Zelensky's. "I am not a politician," said Mr Zelensky, who spoke first. "I am just a simple person who has come to break down this system."
Mr Zelensky's links to billionaire oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky - a leading opponent of Mr Poroshenko - have led some to question the comedian's credibility as a true "outsider" candidate. Addressing Mr Poroshenko, he said: "I am the result of your mistakes and promises."
Mr Poroshenko responded by accusing his rival of avoiding active-duty military service and said he would not be able to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We only have a beautiful and bright sweet wrapper in which everyone can find what he is looking for," he said.
How did we get here?
The debate was agreed more than a week ago, but they disagreed over the date for it.The debate was agreed more than a week ago, but they disagreed over the date for it.
On 14 April Mr Poroshenko turned up at the stadium and used Mr Zelensky's absence as an opportunity to answer journalists' questions and attack the comedian.On 14 April Mr Poroshenko turned up at the stadium and used Mr Zelensky's absence as an opportunity to answer journalists' questions and attack the comedian.
Earlier, Mr Zelensky had set a surprise condition for holding such a debate: they must both undergo blood tests to detect any drugs or alcohol. Both were then photographed separately giving blood samples.Earlier, Mr Zelensky had set a surprise condition for holding such a debate: they must both undergo blood tests to detect any drugs or alcohol. Both were then photographed separately giving blood samples.
Who are the candidates?
Mr Zelensky is a dollar millionaire, thanks to his popular comedy series and other acting roles, while Mr Poroshenko is a billionaire who got rich through confectionery and TV businesses.Mr Zelensky is a dollar millionaire, thanks to his popular comedy series and other acting roles, while Mr Poroshenko is a billionaire who got rich through confectionery and TV businesses.
Mr Zelensky's links to billionaire oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky - a leading opponent of Mr Poroshenko - have led some to question the comedian's credibility as a true "outsider" candidate.
Mr Poroshenko took power in a 2014 election following an uprising that overthrew the previous pro-Russian government. His supporters credit him with bolstering the army, making Ukraine's orthodox church independent of Russia and securing visa-free travel to Europe.
However concerns over corruption remain.