Crowds for Hire

The last official day of campaigning in Ukraine was marked by two simultaneous rallies on squares at opposite ends of the same street.

 

In front of the golden domed cupolas of Saint Michael’s Monastery, Victor Yanukovich’s campaign team hosted a star-studded pop concert. A short distance away Yulia Tymoshenko had gathered her supporters in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral. Hers was a much more contemplative affair, an open air prayer service in the company of the country’s top clergy.

 

Both rival camps had rallied hundreds of cheering, flag-waving supporters. Some had been bussed in from the regions, many making the most of the free-day trip to the capital.

 

Both Tymoshenko and Yanukovich have worked hard to maintain a loyal network of supporters who turn out en masse whenever a gathering is called but if you’re thinking of entering Ukrainian politics from scratch then 21 year old Vladimir Boyko might be able to help. He’s set up a website called ‘Easy Work’ to recruit people for $4 an hour to bolster political rallies.

 

"We'll do business with any political party. Ideology doesn't matter to us," said Vladimir quoted in the Wall Street Journal. 

 

 

Both political parties deny paying for crowds but if you’re in Kiev and a looking for fast cash here’s Easy Work’s website