WEIRD NEWS OF THE WEEK: Darth Vader runs for president in Ukraine

Star Wars villain Darth Vader is the Ukrainian Internet Party (UIP) candidate to become Ukraine's next president.

11:55 02 April 2014

Ukraine continues to make the world headlines, but the latest round of political turmoil is quirkier than you'd expect. Luke Skywalker's nemesis Darth Vader is running for president.

At a press conference in Kiev, Vader announced his plans to take the nation to the dark side. He was complete in the iconic black cloak and face mask seen in the wildly successful film franchise.

The Sith Lord had support by his fellow party members - an Imperial Stormtrooper and Chewbacca. Chewbacca is actually more identified with the goodies in Star Wars, so perhaps there's been some political bedhopping already.

“I alone can make an empire out of a republic, to restore former glory, to return lost territories and pride for this country,” Vader said in a party statement.

While some may see the move as a joke, it's a costly one if that's what it is. The party coughed up the 2.5m hryvnia (£136,000) registration fee to make Vader an official candidate.

Vader previously ran for mayor of Odessa in 2011.

Dmitry Golubov, leader of the UIP, said in a statement on the party’s website: “After winning intra-party primaries by a landslide, comrade Vader will be our party’s candidate.”

The Ukrainian Internet Party registered in 2010. Its core mission is to create an 'electronic government' with free computer courses for all citizens.

The election is set for May 25th just weeks after international May the 4th (Force) Be With You day.