From prank to politics: Is Lebigovich a potential presidential candidate?

In Ukrainian social networks, the “meme boom” around the new “presidential candidate” has not subsided for several days now.

Social network users are actively spreading memes calling for support for blogger Mikhail Lebig in the upcoming presidential elections. At the same time, they do not use Lebigy’s original surname, but his combination with Yanukovych - Lebigovich.

In the end, another Ukrainian meme went so far that billboards began to appear on the streets and merchandise began to appear in stores. Moreover, the Verkhovna Rada has already signed a seat for the future people's deputy. And they wonder why he doesn’t come to the sessions.

Telegraph decided to find out who Mikhail Lebiga is and will he really run for the presidency of Ukraine? Or is it just society's way of finding comfort in humor during turbulent times?

Who is Lebigovich?

Mikhail Lebiga is a Ukrainian Twitch streamer with the nickname Leb1ga. First of all, he is known for regularly collecting record fees on the platform for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate and other units that are currently defending the independence of Ukraine.

It is noteworthy that in July 2023, Lebiga collected a record 8.35 million hryvnia in just one night. Then his phone was simply blowing up with the number of donations, and the maximum amount of a charitable contribution to his bank was 255 thousand hryvnia.

The entire amount collected was used to purchase three Sych reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles for the Main Intelligence Directorate. The remainder of the funds was used to purchase a car for one of the units of the Defense Forces.

Where did the meme about the blogger's presidency start?

One of the directions of Lebiga’s streams is watching Ukrainian shows, interviews and television debates. Recently, a blogger on the stream rewatched the old debate between Yushchenko and Yanukovych, and the audience liked it so much that they dubbed Mikhail a candidate for the presidency. They started writing in the comments that they would vote for him.

In the end, this topic began to be spread across all social networks and memes were created where Lebiga was called presidential candidate Lebigovich. It is noted that he is a nominee either from the “Lebigon Party” or from the “Servants of Calories” party.

At some point, the ma'am got out of control and everyone, including deputies, picked up the story. Probably, under any video on TikTok today you can find comments “for Lebigovich.”

How does the blogger himself comment on the situation?

Mikhail says in his videos that these are all jokes, and he does not plan to run for office anywhere. “I am Lebiga, and I am not going to run for office, I will not be any deputy. I’m not on any ballots,” the blogger notes.

In general, he urges subscribers not to make a “political campaign” or at least billboards, because “grandmothers may take everything seriously.” However, for now it seems that this can no longer be stopped. Ukrainians say that if Lebiga does not run for president, they will create a petition. Moreover, unknown people have already created a website where they described the political program and speeches of the “young politician.” It is not yet known how this situation will end. Incredibly, history shows that anything can happen in politics.