Just how fragile and for how long will Yulia's Marriage of convenience last?

Ukrainian Journal has reported another reminder of the fragility of the relationship between Yulia Tymoshenko and The President, Viktor Yushchenko. Both Yulia and Yushchenko continue to fire warning shots across each others bow.

The warning shot was fired from Brussels during the prime-minister's visit. Yulia once again reminded Yushchenko that if he does not tow the line she will stand against him in the next Presidential election, ending Yushchenko's hopes for a second term. Viktor Yushchenko's political party "Our Ukraine", in spite the takeover of the People's Self Defence party, only managed to received 14% of the popular vote during the September 30 snap poll. The same percentage of vote "Our Ukraine" received in the March 2006 election. The combined support for Yulia Tymoshenko and Our Ukraine is less the 45%.

None of this does any good in shoring up confidence in Ukraine's political stability. There is ongoing concern that once the Yushchenko has restored authority and power in the office of the President the balance of power will swing back to the President who could then force the dismissal of Yulia's government and negotiate a deal on more favourable terms with the Party of Regions. The main stumbling block is Our Ukraine's policy of joining NATO and Ukraine's relationship to Russia.

Tymoshenko moots 2009 run for presidency

Journal Staff Report


BRUSSELS, Jan. 28 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko threatened on Monday to run for the presidency next year if disagreements between President Viktor Yushchenko and her government continue to persist or worsen.

Tymoshenko, who opinion polls show is more popular than Yushchenko, has been widely said by her opponents to be planning to run for the presidency. She had persistently denied the plans.

But now, speaking in Brussels, Tymoshenko said her decision will actually depend on Yushchenko.

“If our cooperation with Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko is harmonious and balanced, if a single joint approach is demonstrated towards solving problems, there is no sense to nominate two candidates from the democratic coalition,” Tymoshenko said.

“Then I, with my limitless love to Ukraine, can support [Yushchenko]. But this must be a two-way street,” Tymoshenko said.



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