Moscow (CNN)Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky took the lead in the first round of national elections, according to preliminary results released by the country’s Central Election Commission Monday.
With just over 60% of the result of Sunday’s vote tallied, Zelensky, a television comedian and political newcomer who is widely seen as a protest candidate that appeals to younger voters, has 30.4% of the votes cast.
“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all the Ukrainians who did not vote just for fun,” he said in an appearance posted online by US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Sunday.
