Ukraine: Janukowycz is going to be a president
Bogumił Kolmasiak, translation: AG Tuesday, 29 December 2009 21:42
Opinion polls don't leave any doubts. Unquestionable leader of all public opinion surveys in the Ukraine is Wiktor Janukowycz, leader of Regions Party, associated with Leonid Kuczma's administration. In poll conducted by 'FOM Ukraina' Janukowycz can count on 38% backup. The second place's taken by Julia Tymoszenko, the leader of formation marked with her own name - she can count on 24% backup.
Presently officiating president, Wiktor Juszczenko, holding his post since 'Orange Revolution', has no chances for reelection and can count on 3,5% backup only. His electorate mainly consist of western metropolis's - Lviv and Kiev - citizens.
What does Janukowicz's victory mean? Turning to Russia for sure. Janukowycz has already been a Prime Minister after the Orange Revolution and no spectacular changes has came. Program of Regions Party's leader is a reinforcement of russian language status, which is used by many Ukrainians in the eastern part of the country, magnifying social support and objection against privatization.
In foreign politics issue, Juszczenko's was attempting to integrate Ukraine with EU structures and NATO. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to persuade his compatriots to that. Ridiculous arguments (e.g. who's going to use government's plane) with Julia Tymoszenko effectively discouraged Ukrainians to the Oranges. Significant was also an economical crisis, proceeding in a dramatically severe way in the Ukraine. The rate of exchange UAH to USD has dropped almost twice.
Nevertheless, 'Orange Revolution' should be considered as success. After revolution, such an incidents like journalist's missing, victimization of oppositionists and restricting the liberty of media won't ever repeat. It can be expected that the elections will proceed in an acceptable for international organizations way. And even Janukowicz's victory won't changed it because Ukrainians have learnt one thing - checking up on the government.
