The Force awakens in Ukraine

A democratic revolution has made the Dark Side more popular than ever

Ever since the Maidan Revolution in early 2014, prominent voices in the Russian media have accused Ukrainian politicians of flirting with dangerous fascist elements. While Ukraine has happily managed to avoid a Nazi takeover, recent local elections indicate that the country may have succumbed to another sinister power: the Dark Side of the Force. Yes, Star-Wars-themed political campaigns are back in Ukraine, less than two months ahead of the premiere of the first new Star Wars film in a decade. Meduza looks at some recent manifestations of this curious phenomenon.

Chewbacca is arrested for having no documents. Darth Vader is furious.

On Sunday, October 25, the city of Odessa held elections. A local politician who's legally changed his name to Darth Vader arrived at a polling station, but election officials refused to let him vote, as his name did not appear on the precinct's voter list.

Vader's indignation only grew when he discovered that police had arrested his driver, a man dressed as Chewbacca, who was taken into custody for driving without documents. (He also parked the car illegally.) Chewie did not go willingly, and with real-life Wookiee strength he managed to stay on his feet, until four officers finally subdued him.

Confronting the police, shaking his fist with rage, Vader said, "You've got to be careful with him—be gentle! We're talking about an animal!" The Sith Lord also explained that Chewbacca is incapable of possessing the documents police required. "He doesn't even have a residential permit!" Vader shouted. "He lives in the catacombs!"

Vader blamed Odessa Governor, and former Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili for Chewbacca's arrest, screaming, "Has Saakashvili completely lost his mind!?"

Chewie was taken to a nearby police station, where (according to unverified reports) officers confiscated his blaster and light saber. He was later released and fined 170 hryvnia (about $7) for disobeying police.

Police also impounded Darth Vader's "Darthmobile." At the city impound lot, a living person was discovered inside.

Emperor Palpatine wins a spot on Odessa's city council

Dmitry Viktorovich Palpatine won a spot on the Odessa city council in voting last weekend. The 25-year-old, who works as "emperor" of the "Palpatine Fitness Group," won 54.4 percent of the vote in his local precinct, handily defeating all other candidates.

Attack of the Vader clones

Odessa officials registered an election bloc called Darth Vader's Bloc. The list contained 48 candidates, 44 of whom had legally changed their names to "Darth Vader." Another individual on this list was legally renamed "Master Yoda." The list of candidates was all male, except for a single woman: Darth Alexandrovna Vader, who led the bloc's list in the regional parliament race.

In Ukraine's 2014 snap parliamentary election, the country's elections commission registered six candidates named Darth Vader. None of them won a seat.

Make Vader Prime Minister, or else

The Ukrainian government operates a website that allows citizens to petition the state. On September 8, a man name Master Vladimirovich Yoda launched a campaign to replace sitting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk with Dark Lord Darth Vader. The petition now has 25,396 signatures.

Any petitions that collect more than 25,000 signatures within three months are automatically submitted to the Ukrainian president for an official review.