Ukraine looks set to endorse Yanukovych's path.

The surest outcome of Ukrainian elections is an acrimonious dispute after the results come in.  Yesterday the country took to the polls once again, as Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions faced its first big test since the presidential run-off.

Exit polls for the local elections suggest that the President’s party has retained its lead, with 36.2% backing Yanukovych’s group.  That compares favourably to 35.32% recorded by the Party of the Regions in the first round of the presidential vote.  Yanukovych eventually won that contest in a run off, securing 48.95% to Yulia Tymoshenko’s 45.47%.

Back in January and February, there was unanimous consensus among international observers that the right result had been reached.  The OSCE found the poll ’free and fair’.

Representatives from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly have already concurred with the Prime Minister’s verdict that no major violations were registered this time either.

Still, a flawless poll didn’t stop protests from Tymoshenko in February and it's little surprise that the likely losers’ are pre-empting the outcome by  striking up their allegations good and early.  No doubt, as the official results are announced, there will be a growing chorus, irrespective of observers' verdicts.

The likely end product remains an endorsement of President Yanukovych’s policies and further proof that Ukraine‘s independence need not be underpinned by a divisive form of ethno-nationalism.

Comments

Phil Larkin said…
Owen,

if all you say in this article is true, then it is quite a happy story for Ukraine. Although I've never visited (I hope to some time) the country is literally bursting at the seams with potential.

However, whatever her shortcomings, Tymoshenko surely has to be one of the most beautiful women ever to enter the field of politics.

Phil
2 November 2010 at 13:28
Owen Polley said…
She's no Arlene Foster. ;)
2 November 2010 at 13:29
Phil said…
She certainly isn't. Thank God.
2 November 2010 at 15:05
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