Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Ukraine Radio 29-01-2008 18:04 Lytvyn's bloc faction in parliament supports idea of holding referendum on Ukraine's accession to NATO This was stated by the bloc's MP Mykhailo Syrota while on a trip to Donetsk. He noted that in case such a referendum is held his political force will support Ukraine's neutrality. Mr. Syrota also believes that the Party of Regions and the president have the same position on Ukraine's NATO membership, which is confirmed by the party member Rayisa Bohatyriova's joining the president's team as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Another poll has been published this week. (19 July, 2007) Source UNIAN The outcome of this poll shows that the government would receive the lions share of the vote with a possibility of ex-parliamentary speaker Lytvyn party holding the balance of power and securing 18 seats. Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko's Party Our Ukraine (OU) combined with the People's Self Defence Party (PSD) have not really picked up much support following their recent announcment that they will run as a single partuy bloc. OU/PSD combined vote actually dropping one percentage point. The poll indicates a voter participation rate of 92% which is very optimistic. Poll Statistics Publication Date 19-Jul-07 Party/Value   % Poll % Vote % Seats Poll All-Ukrainian Poll PoR 28.5% 30.7% 187 BYuT 20.3% 21.9% 133 OU * 11...

Ukraine's former Parliamentary Speaker and leader of the Volodymyr Lytvyn People’s Party, Volodymyr Lytvyn, has called it a day by announcing that he would not be contesting the next parliamentary election scheduled September 30 . Lytvyn, who unsuccessfully stood for election in March 2006, sits on around 1.2% in the national polls. Although Lytvyn himself will not be contesting the next election it is unclear if Lytvyn will seek to have a say in redirecting his support elsewhere. With Lytvyn out of the race you can rest assure that all the major parties will be seeking to win over his support base which could add up to 9 to 10 members of parliament if transferred as a solid voter bloc.