Hittler defeats Zielenski : Political curiosity occurrs in local elections in France
Illustrative photo: elections in France (Getty Images)
In the French town of Arcis-sur-Aube, in the first round of the mayoral election, a candidate with the last name Hittler won, defeating his opponent, Renault-Zielenski, according to BFMTV.
Charles Hittler, the 75-year-old incumbent mayor, received 37.81% of the vote. Antoine Renault-Zielenski, his 28-year-old opponent, received 29.99% and came in third place.
Because of their unusual last names, the politicians are being compared online to Adolf Hitler and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Hitler said he had already grown accustomed to jokes about his last name and did not take offense. He noted that it even helps him, as people remember him easily.
Renault-Zielenski explained that his last name is a combination of his parents’ names of Polish origin. According to him, he was not prepared for such a public reaction but understands why people find the situation amusing.
"I understand that people find it funny. I don’t really, but I’m not offended either," Renault-Zielenski said.
He also joked that now the town is known not only for its history — since in 1814 a battle of Napoleon took place there — but also for an "electoral duel" with unusual last names.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the condition under which he would definitely run for a second term. According to him, he will run for president again if the war with Russia has not ended by the time of the elections.
Zelenskyy also said he hopes that when he leaves office, Ukrainians will remember him positively. The president emphasized that he would like his children and grandchildren not to feel ashamed of him.
Additionally, a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that trust in Volodymyr Zelenskyy increased by 9% compared to February. At the beginning of March, 62% of Ukrainians support him.
