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2 Oct, 2007 17:43

Ukrainians again split by elections

The last few votes are being counted in Ukraine's parliamentary election. The pro-Russian Party of Regions, led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, has gathered the largest amount of votes so far.

Balance of power

Political deadlock: to end or not to end?

Balance of power

Unofficial negotiations have already started between all forces that crossed a three-per-cent line, and it may be that small parties will play the pivotal part.

Yulia Timoshenko has already announced she is ready to form a coalition. When combined, Yulia Timoshenko’s Bloc and the Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defence Bloc will gain 45 per cent of votes thus, gaining the majority in the Rada.

Prime Minister Yanukovich said he is exploring the possibility of merging with the Litvin Bloc and the Socialists in case they make it to the Parliament. In this case, the coalition would get a total of 43.3 per cent.

Apparently, the balance of power in the Ukrainian parliament wouldn’t be any different from April this year, when the Rada was dissolved by President Yushchenko. 

Political deadlock: to end or not to end?

The overall situation in the country is quite calm and people, worn out by the continuing political crisis.

But supporters of various camps pitched their tents in front of the Rada in case their leaders decide to dispute the results with the help of mass rallies.

The international observers that came to monitor the election declared it to be free and fair but Yulia Timoshenko states the count in the East of Ukraine is being falsified.

“Instead of running around the country with suitcases full of money, they should have thought of their reputation before the President dissolved the Rada,” Ms Timoshenko said.

The Party of Regions denies the allegations, from their part preparing to challenge some of their opponents’ results in court.

The Ukrainian people are still confused, just like they were before the election. And some think the best choice for the country would be the development of economic ties with Europe and preserving cultural ties with Russia.

“I sometimes feel like we live in two different countries. That’s why I think we should find our own identity. Economically we should connect with Europe, but culturally we are Slavic people, we should have good relations with Russia,” Yury Shishkovsky, a political science student from Kiev, said.

The count of votes extended beyond all possible deadlines and the front runners are at odds with each other as to who will form the next government.

To read the full coverage and analysis of Ukraine’s election please follow this link.

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