Zelenskyi’s Unconventional Walk Into the Presidency

It was perhaps one of the most highly-anticipated inauguration ceremonies in Ukraine’s political history. It started with high-fives and kisses.

Political novice and showman Volodymyr Zelenskyi took a step back from tradition and walked to the parliament along with crowds of his supporters. The ceremony included Zelenskyi taking an oath and receiving regalia including a sign, a seal and a club.

The inauguration ceremony on Monday came more than two weeks earlier than expected following the parliament’s approval of the date requested by Zelenskyi.

At the inauguration, the 41-year-old announced the dissolution of the parliament in his speech, a strategic move to bring the Oct. 27 parliamentary elections forward to boost his party’s chances of securing a majority at the height of his popularity.