News in Ukrainian Politics

[fishandchips]

Another election in Europe is upcoming, this time in the Ukraine. Are citizens looking forward to the event? Well, some are selling their votes online to highest bidders. Isn't that illegal, because that causes ethical and personation issues?

For sale on Internet - Ukraine's election votes
Tue Jan 12, 9:21 AM
By Richard Balmforth

KIEV (Reuters) - For sale: my vote in Ukraine's election on Sunday. From 300 to 500 hryvnias ($37-$63). Can gather others who want to sell.

Several offers have appeared on the Internet from disenchanted citizens in the ex-Soviet republic who say they are ready to sell their votes in the January 17 election for president.

"I don't believe in our democracy and so I am selling my vote in the elections. Maybe there will be 10 other votes for sale. The only discussion on price will be upwards," said one Internet advertisement from Lviv in western Ukraine.Votes for sale

I mean, in some countries, international observers monitoring votes are supposed to ensure that all votes are legitimate but there are questions usually about the ballot boxes.

What election was ballot box stuffing and legitimate votes a major deal? Oh, the Mexican presidential election of a few years ago.

[CielOnTap]

A borrowed idea from Russian and Italian politics--show the voters some "looks" to get the votes. The idea is in use during the Ukrainian election campaign.

Ukraine bodybuilder flexes his muscles in election campaign

By Peter O'Neil, Canwest News Europe Correspondent
January 14, 2010 11:46 AM
Borrowing a page from macho Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, famous for riding bare-chested on a horse to promote his image, a proudly muscular businessman has emerged as a potentially decisive force in Ukraine's presidential vote Sunday.

Multimillionaire banker Serhiy Tyhypko, an amateur bodybuilder who appeared last month on the cover of a Ukrainian men's health magazine, had recently been polling a strong third to front-runner Viktor Yanukovych and second-place Yulia Tymoshenko. Bodybuilder candidate

When world leaders get together for the formal photo call at conferences, they are usually in business suits. If this candidate, Prime Minister Putin and one more bodybuilder leader are at the same event during the summer, would they pose for a photo call to show off their muscles?

[burnt fare]

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/01/19/full_preliminary_results_of_ukraine_vote_released/

Another round of voting in three weeks. Gas deal with Russia last year is the lead opposition candidate's issue that he would renegotiate. Sir, don't renegotiate during winter, as it is too cold for the residents like they found out last year. Pay bills on time and get your own energy sector worked out.

[CielOnTap]

Exit Polls Give Yanukovych Slim Lead
08 February 2010
By Alexandra Odynova

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych looked set to clinch the presidency Sunday, with early exit polls giving him a narrow lead, although his longtime rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, promised to challenge results from the front-runner's strongholds.

Yanukovych was leading with 48.7 percent of the vote, compared with 45.5 percent for Tymoshenko, according to the National Exit Poll, which surveyed more than 15,000 voters. The poll, released when voting closed at 8 p.m. local time, had a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points.

Other polls showed Yanukovych with a similarly narrow lead.

The new president, elected to a five-year term, faces the difficult task of improving relations with both Russia and the European Union while trying to rebuild a shattered economy. The winner could also have trouble forming a government that will be able to break the country's political deadlock.http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/exit-polls-give-yanukovych-slim-lead/399214.html

Who's going to visit Vancouver with the Ukrainian athletes? Is there a natural gas payment plan on track to keep Ukrainians warm this winter?

[CielOnTap]

02/08/2010

Tymoshenko vs. Yanukovych
Ukraine Remains Divided after Runoff Election
By Benjamin Bidder in Kiev

Ukraine looks to be heading for political stalemate after Sunday's runoff presidential election. With over 95 percent of the votes counted, opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych appears to have won, but he has failed to achieve a convicing lead over his rival Yulia Tymoshenko. She may contest the result in court.

As Yulia Tymoshenko prepared to speak at a press conference in Kiev on Sunday evening, it had already become clear that she had not manage to achieve the majority she hoped for in Ukraine's presidential runoff election. Exit polls indicated that she trailed her rival Viktor Yanukovych by several percentage points.

Dressed in a brilliant white dress with a large shiny brooch, she strode energetically up to the podium, making her way through a throng of supporters and journalists. "I am convinced," she told the crowd, "that the majority of citizens have voted for a democratic, European and strong Ukraine."http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676466,00.html

What, the reporter failed to observe the apparel of Mr. Yanukovych also? How did he appear before the supporters and journalists?

[burnt fare]

Wait and see how the citizens support the new leader of their country. I don't know if there is a similar energy in party campaign offices as there is in North America that can carry forward when a candidate gets into public office. Food, shelter, jobs, heating, some prospects...all good things to keep in mind to run the country. Oh, yes funds too. No major interior decor spree-perhaps rotate artwork or furniture from storage.

[deja vu]

Security personnel protect with umbrellas Speaker of Ukraine's parliament Volodymyr Liytvyn




Next 2 photos: Deputies scuffle during a session in the chamber of the Ukrainian parliament





Opposition lawmakers hurled eggs and smoke bombs inside Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday as the chamber approved an agreement allowing the Russian Navy to extend its stay in a Ukrainian port until 2042.

Crowds of supporters and opponents scuffled outside the parliament building as deputies from newly elected President Viktor Yanukovich's coalition approved a 25-year extension to the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base in Crimea.


http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Pr ... story.html


Boy, do they need a time out. They obviously missed the lesson about how to play together on the playground.

Need context-why 25 years' deal and how connected to gas prices? Citizens' representatives discuss with constituents-yes/no. Gas price-two winters' issue of how much Russian gas cost Ukraine.

Long deal-could be shorter offer or time needed to make Ukrainian navy better? Water insurance then.