Ukrainian showman and comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, 40, has announced that he will run for president of Ukraine in the election set to be held on March 31, 2019.

Zelenskiy announced his candidacy on Dec. 31, during a concert of the Kvartal 95 comedy program, which was aired on Ukrainian television channel 1+1. The comedian broke the news to the Ukrainian public at midnight, instead of the traditional annual New Year address of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, whose speech was shown on 1+1 later than on other Ukrainian channels and was shortened. In March, Poroshenko will be competing for a second term as president.