Elections in Ukraine

Topic: Elections in Ukraine

The Ukrainian presidential elections of 2010 are the fifth election since Ukraine has declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The two final candidates who gained the most and similar amount of votes were Julia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich. Although as a result of the final election Yanukovich gained the most votes and became the President. Yulia Tymoshenko has been a Prime Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2005 to 2007. Tymoshenko gained her popularity through her scandalous image and has also been a close ally with Ukrtaine’s ex President Viktor Yushchenko. She was a strong figure in the Orange Revolution and a series of mass street protest. In addition she chose the pro Western course of action leaving behind the Russian sphere of influence. Yanukovich was the Primer Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2002 to 2004. Yanukovich unlike Tymoshenko is a success for Moscow in its struggle for the influence with the West in the former Soviet Union. After Yanukovich’s victory by 3.5 percentage,soon followed Tymoshenko’s speech in which she publicly accused President Yanukovich of "openening the door to massive and flagrant election rigging”. She also declared that she will challenge the results of the election in court.

Article 1
UK
Ukraine: Tymoshenko vows to contest election result http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8514517.stm

The article provides a good overview on the situation in Ukraine after the Presidential Elections of 2010. It gives a good impression about Tympshenko’s behavior after the elections. Tymoshenko declared that Viktor Yanukovich was not legitimately elected, she also publicly stated that “Yanukovich is not our president” and he will never become a legitimately elected president of Ukraine. While, Yanukovich has called Tymoshenko to abandon her protest and resign. The article also shows good examples of both of the opinion from Yulia Tymoshenko’s position and Yanukovich. Tymoshenko stated that the only way to defend the state and the choice that has been made is to challenge the results of the election in court. Yanukovich’s reply was very straightforward, he stated that democratic leaders always accept the results of the elections and the country does not need another crisis. Analysts tend to challenge Tymoshenko’s position, by explaining that it would only continue instability.

Article 2
France
Ukraine: Elections or Emergency Rule?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17318

The article provides a better analytical reading for a better understanding of the situation with the elections in Ukraine. The public’s opinion on Yanukovich’s victory suggests that it was natural and the majority of experts seem to agree with this assumption. The only questioned that is left unanswered is whether there will be a compliance with democratic norms this time. The article also supports the opinion that Julia Tymoshenko’s ascension to power was a result of the West’s investment in the Orange project. When the results of the first round were announced Tymoshenko immediately responded by ensuring that mass rigging would take place in South-East Ukraine. She also would not admit it and search for every opportunity to oppose the elections by supporting mass falsifications, provocations and protest rallies and court hearings.

Article 3
Political crisis in Ukraine not yet over – analyst
Armenia
http://www.news.az/articles/9369

The article provides an interview of Anton Finko who is an expert at the Kiev Center for Political and Conflict Studies. The interviewer questioned Mr. Finko about his assessment of the elections in Ukraine. Mr. Finko explains that there was a traditional split of the country between the Russian-speaking and industrial south-east of Ukraine, where the main capital in the country is filled with elite and predominantly agrarian and Ukrainian speaking center and the west. He views Ukrainian election as being pretty much repeated from the years of 1994 and 2004, as there were voters in the West and center on one side, and voters in the south-east. There is also a minority close to the south-east and some voters; in this case Yanukovich gained some advantage. Mr. Finko was also asked if the elected candidate would really be able to unite the country. He replied that many voters who are not from his main regions will be extremely cautious about Yanukovich and even Tymoshenko’s supporters are not all radical and some believe that Yanukovich has the right to prove his effectiveness. Mr Finko states that if Yanukovich manages to meet the socioeconomic prospects he will be able to unite the greater part of the public around him. Yet his success depends on whether he will be able to take the appropriate steps in the Chain to overcome the political crisis.

Reflection/Analysis

The three articles provide a good summary of the events in Ukraine with the Presidential election of 2010. The BBC article informs about Tymoshenko’s behavior after the elections. It also is a good source that shows arguments with both of the sides and their direct accusations about each other’s position. Towards the end the article sums up the arguments and gives the analytical view on the matters. The second article taken from a French source, presents a deeper analysis on the situation with elections. The main arguments which I found interesting were that if Yanukovich would really be compliant with the democratic norms. Also that Tymoshenko’s influence in the Orange Revolution was a result of West’s investment. The third article taken from an Armenian source provided an interview of a Ukrainian expert for Political studies, who informs that Yanukovich needs to certain steps to surmount this political crisis. In my opinion the situation in Ukraine is very exacerbated with the elections. Although personally I think that Yanukovich’s victory is beneficial to Ukraine more than it would have been if Yulia Tymoshenko gained victory. As Yanukovich has more chances of stabilizing and improving the relationship between Russia and Ukraine. Mainly due to the reason that Yanukovich is a businessman in whose interests it is to resolve the previous conflict with Russia. Unlike Tymoshenko who previously failed to deal with the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She and the ex president Yushenko rather supported the confrontation with Russia rather than tried to stabilize their relationship.