Ukraine’s election could create Yanukovich-Yushchenko alliance

Once again it is Viktor Yanukovich and his blue team against the orange team as Ukraine votes for a new parliament on Sunday. But less than a year and a half after the mass protests against Yanukovich’s presidential election victory, the “Orange Revolution” that replaced him with Viktor Yushchenko has run out of steam.

Yulia Timoshenko, President Yushchenko’s former orange ally, has led her party into opposition. She was sacked as prime minister last year amid mutual accusations of corruption. Her block is third in the polls. Yesterday she lamented the fact that those who “destroyed Ukraine” were competing for power again. Second in the polls is the Our Ukraine party of President Yushchenko. Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov is heading the party’s parliamentary campaign, advocating membership of the European Union and NATO and more decisive market reforms. Out in front is the Regions of Ukraine party of Yanukovich. It promises better ties with Russia and an end to the energy pricing dispute with Moscow. With no party expected to form a majority, there will probably be a coalition, and, ironically, that could see Yanukovich and Yushchenko joining forces.

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