NoB4U Note: The author makes some valid points about the recent Ukrainian elections, but misses the mark badly on some of the others. But what do you expect from Radio Free Europe?
Ukrainians have voted in a new parliament for the first time since the Euromaidan protests ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian government earlier this year.
Here are some takeaways from the October 26 vote:
The West-Russia divide is no longer relevant in parliament
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s parliamentary battles have largely taken place between so-called pro-Western factions and pro-Russian ones. No more. For the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, the country’s parliament will be dominated by parties that support strong ties with Europe. The likely top three parties all support EU accession and, combined, upwards of 75 percent of the seats are expected to be held by pro-Europe deputies.
Poroshenko’s party underperformed
President Petro Poroshenko will have a pro-European coalition, but his party is not coming out looking as strong as he had once hoped. At one point, members of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc thought it possible to win an outright parliamentary majority. And just days before the elections, opinion polling showed it likely to be at least 10 points ahead of the closest runner-up. Instead, as results came in, the party was running neck-and-neck with the People’s Front party led by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. They have put on a united front — saying they will form a coalition together — but we can likely expect a budding rivalry.
Radical protest vote falls flat
Polling had predicted that ultra-populist candidate Oleh Lyashko (his Radical Party logo is a pitchfork) would place second, as Ukrainians — growing disenchanted with the slow pace of reforms and the sagging war effort in the east — looked to cast a protest vote. Instead, the Radical Party came in a distant fifth, with about 7.5 percent of the vote.
Complete story at - Ten Takeaways From Ukraine’s Vote | Johnson's Russia List
Ukrainians have voted in a new parliament for the first time since the Euromaidan protests ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian government earlier this year.
Here are some takeaways from the October 26 vote:
The West-Russia divide is no longer relevant in parliament
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s parliamentary battles have largely taken place between so-called pro-Western factions and pro-Russian ones. No more. For the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, the country’s parliament will be dominated by parties that support strong ties with Europe. The likely top three parties all support EU accession and, combined, upwards of 75 percent of the seats are expected to be held by pro-Europe deputies.
Poroshenko’s party underperformed
President Petro Poroshenko will have a pro-European coalition, but his party is not coming out looking as strong as he had once hoped. At one point, members of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc thought it possible to win an outright parliamentary majority. And just days before the elections, opinion polling showed it likely to be at least 10 points ahead of the closest runner-up. Instead, as results came in, the party was running neck-and-neck with the People’s Front party led by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. They have put on a united front — saying they will form a coalition together — but we can likely expect a budding rivalry.
Radical protest vote falls flat
Polling had predicted that ultra-populist candidate Oleh Lyashko (his Radical Party logo is a pitchfork) would place second, as Ukrainians — growing disenchanted with the slow pace of reforms and the sagging war effort in the east — looked to cast a protest vote. Instead, the Radical Party came in a distant fifth, with about 7.5 percent of the vote.
Complete story at - Ten Takeaways From Ukraine’s Vote | Johnson's Russia List
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