Ukraine's incumbent President and presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko (L) and presidential candidate and actor Volodymyr Zelensky (R) attend a debate at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, April 19, 2019. Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday held a debate ahead of the second round of the country's presidential election. (Xinhua/Sergey)
KIEV, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's presidential candidates, actor Volodymyr Zelensky and incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, on Friday held a debate ahead of the second round of the country's presidential election.
The debate took place at the Olympic stadium in Kiev in front of the crowd of 22,000 spectators.
During the hour-long debate, the two candidates did not discuss their election programs, but exchanged critical remarks towards each other.
In particular, Zelensky accused Poroshenko of enrichment on the presidential post, as well as of the lack of progress in fighting corruption, carrying out reforms and ending the conflict in the east of Ukraine.
For his part, Poroshenko accused Zelensky of being incompetent for the presidency and having links to oligarchs.
Zelensky garnered 30.24 percent of the vote, while Poroshenko gained 15.95 percent in the first round of the election held on March 31. Since no candidate got more than 50 percent, the top two will compete in the runoff scheduled for April 21.
The results of the second round are set to be released by May 4, and the new president is expected to take office no later than June 3.
