Ukrainians felt a disturbance in the Force over the weekend after Star Wars’ leading Sith lord Darth Vader announced his candidacy for president of the nation that’s been besought by an empire of its own since last month.
The legendary Jedi-turned dark lord has been a frequent protester in Kiev’s Independence Square — along with a phalanx of Storm Troopers — since protests erupted over the winter. He has since become the official candidate of the Ukrainian Internet party, which is quickly becoming known for its theatricality.
“After winning intra-party primaries by a landslide, comrade Vader will be our party’s candidate,” party leader Dmitry Golubov said in a Guardian report. The party states it has already paid the required registration fee.
The Ukrainian Internet party was established in 2010 and runs on a platform of advocating the creation of an electronic government in Ukraine, and wants to offer free computer educations courses to all citizens.
Vader has been on a political hot streak in the former Soviet republic since November of last year, when stormtroopers carried the Sith master to Odessa city hall where he declared himself mayor. He has already demanded a plot of land be set aside for his Star Destroyer spaceship.
“I alone can make an empire out of a republic, to restore former glory, to return lost territories and pride for this country,” Vader said in a party statement.
Following the ouster of former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February, Ukraine will hold presidential elections on May 25 to choose the first leader of the country’s new government.