Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko: 'The People Intend to Fight'

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-vitali-klitschko-on-ukraine-opposition-movement-a-939355.html



Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko holds a Ph.D. in sports science, a boxing world heavyweight title, a seat in the Ukrainian Parliament and the top spot in opposition party UDAR, the Ukrainian word for "punch."

Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko: 'The People Intend to Fight'
Interview Conducted By Benjamin Bidder and Erich Follath
December 16, 2013 – 03:23 PM

The office in the headquarters of his Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) party is spartanly furnished with a long table and uncomfortable chairs. The only decoration on the wall is a large map of Ukraine with the results of the 2012 parliamentary election.

The young party received nearly 14 percent of the vote, an accomplishment that it primarily owes to its chairman, Vitali Klitschko, 42, who has a large following in Ukraine. Since placing himself at the head of the current wave of protests, Klitschko has risen to become the most popular politician in the country.

Not everyone believes in the political abilities of the reigning world heavyweight champion boxer, but he has a reputation as a man of integrity, in contrast to the corrupt team in the government. He rushes from appointment to appointment, with his cell phone constantly pressed against his ear.

For this interview he switched off his mobile phone, had the doors closed, and told his staff that he didn't want to be disturbed. Throughout the interview, Klitschko seemed tired, but highly focused. He struggled to find the right words after long pauses. He says he can sense that history is being written in these days. He had just been with the demonstrators at Kiev's Independence Square, and he intended to return there that evening.

(Interview at link.)