Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Ukraine goes to the polls in October 2012 in what is a make or break election.  The new electoral laws have already come fire and criticism by the European Venice Commission and look set to give the Government a distinct advantage.  The Tymoshenko factor, political persecution has triggered international outrage which could seriously impact on Ukraine's economic and diplomatic standing is the President's downfall.  Already Yanukovych's presidency has been brought into disrepute as he becomes isolated by the international community.  How long can his presidency last as Ukraine's economic future is held in the balance?  It could even have a negative impact in the Euro2012 games. Already European Integration has been placed on ice.  Will sanctions follow?

The politically charged trail against Ukraine's former Prime-minister has delivered a guilty verdict. Tymoshenko had been charged with misuse and abuse of public office whilst she was Prime-minister. The prosecution claiming that Tymoshenko had no authority to sign a contract with Russia for the supply of gas to Ukraine. They claim that as a result of the unfavourable contract Ukraine has lost over 200 million dollars. This is in spite of the fact that the trial itself has caused untold damage to foreign relations and may even derail or delay implementation of negotiated trading agreements with Europe and Russia. The charges brought against Tymoshenko are seen as an act of political persecution of members of the opposition.  Tymoshenko has been imprisoned for the last two months and her ally Yuri Lutsenko has been detained since December 2010. European and Western leaders have all warned Ukraine of the consequences that would arise if Tymoshenko is found guilty and pr...

Ukraine's opposition leader, Viktor Yanukovych , has been registered as a candidate for Ukraine's Presidential election scheduled to take place on Sunday January 17, 2010. Yanukovych is the highest polling candidate and is generally expected to win the election at a second round ballot to be held sometime in February 2010. Yulia Tymoshenko , the second highest polling candidates has yet to submit her documents for registration.  Other candidates who are expected to put the name in the hat but have not yet applied for registration include Oleksandr Moroz , leader of the Socialist Party of Ukraine Yuriy Kostenko Ukrainian Peoples' Party and member of the Our Ukraine bloc, Prosepective candidates for election must submit their application for registration prior to November 6. The Central Election commission then has three days to process any nomination.

Ukrainian President, Viktor Yushchenko, has seen his approval rating increase since his conflict with Ukraine's Governing coalition, up from a low of 10% to 20%. The recent published poll by Kiev International Institute for Sociology Ukraine's Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych, leading on an approval rating of 34.5% with Yulia Tymoshenko trailing the President on 16% Source: Ukrainian Journal Based on this information, if there was a fresh Presidential elections and all three candidates stood, we would see a repeat run-off ballot between the two Viktors.

Viktor Yanukovych Party of Regions with an estimated 34% of the votes have declared victory in the March 26 Ukrainian Parliamentary elections. This would translate into roughly 44% of the seats of Parliament under the rules related to the allocation of seats. Whilst Yanukovych does not yet hold an absolute majority of seats he is well placed to try and form a workable majority. It is still possible for the Orange Coalition to form a government with the support of Lytvyn Block but if this happens it will be a weak coalition with the Government requiring the support of a loose alliance. A n umber of observers are calling on Viktor Yanukovich or Yulia Tymoshenko to support a coalition with Party of Regions. If this was possible and it is a bog IF then Ukraine would be able to form a stable government which would see it regain economic growth and confidence. In spit Yanokvic's victory statement it is still early days and much horse trading will go on between now and the formation of th...