Democracy, the Undiscovered Country: Preparing for the 2010 Election
Publisher: International Centre for Policy Studies, Kyiv, Ukraine
13-A Pymonenka Str.
04050 Kyiv
Ukraine
Tel: +380 44 484 4400
Fax: +380 44 484 4402
http://www.icps.kiev.ua
International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine: Policy Brief, September 2009
by Sacha Tessier-Stall
Five Years after the Orange Revolution: A New Political Context
Almost five years after the peaceful protests that brought Viktor Yushchenko to power, Ukraine’s Orange Revolution has come full circle. With the next presidential election scheduled for January 2010, the country’s political system is more unpredictable than ever – a sign of improved democratic practices, but also of the political elites’ failure to get their act together. Indeed, almost 20 years after independence, Ukraine still has not undergone the reforms necessary to become a full-fledged democracy.
A quick look at the political landscape shows just how much things have changed since 2004. Mr. Yushchenko, the “hero” of the Orange Revolution, has announced his intention to seek re-election – but with an approval rating below 5%, he is not even a serious contender. At the same time, Viktor Yanukovych, his opponent in the 2004 election, has enjoyed a hefty lead in the polls for months and is the odds-on frontrunner for the Presidency.
YES_September_2009_ENG.pdf (186.68 kB)
