Feel a disturbance in the Force? Darth Vader is campaigning to lead Ukraine, and when I say Darth Vader I do not mean Putin and when I say “campaigning” I do not mean violating international law. I’m not qualified to parody the Ukrainian crisis, but at least one Sith Lord has a sense of humor about it–and a lot of stormtroopers to back him up.
A candidate wearing Vader’s trademark helmet and armor is the chosen one for the Ukraine Internet Party, a political group formed in 2010 that has selected the powerful Jedi as their representative in the May 25th presidential elections. The UIP has a history of Star Wars shenanigans. The Guardian reports that in 2013 Vader had an army of stormtroopers carry him to Odessa City Hall where he declared himself mayor, and in the past he had demanded parking for his spaceship. Explains UIP leader Dmitry Golubov, “After winning intra-party primaries by a landslide, comrade Vader will be our party’s candidate”.
Vader made the official announcement of his candidacy in Kiev this weekend flanked by stormtroopers, declaring “I alone can make an empire out of a republic, to restore former glory, to return lost territories and pride for this country.” The UIP’s decision to run a cosplaying candidate might make their political platform seem satirical, but Vader’s territorial announcement and the large amount of money the party has invested to register the dark lord (about $227,000) hint at a serious agenda.
The Guardian says the UIP’s ultimate goal is to “create an electronic government in Ukraine, transition to digital media and offer free computer courses to all citizens.” Regardless of the plausibility of that platform, Vader doesn’t seem like the worst leader for the beleaguered country. Putin is not as forgiving as Vader.
(via The Guardian, image via Star Wars)
- Russia has taken control of Ukraine’s dolphin army
- Unicycling, backpiping Darth Vader has his day on national TV
- Here’s a Darth Vader lightsaber backup phone battery
