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Ukraine
Presidential Elections – The Vote Will Change The Country
Ukraine faces some serious challenges under the rule of its next president, Viktor Yushchenko, celebrating victory after the Boxing Day poll ended the uncertainty that followed the November election. It was a triumph for the courageous citizens of Ukraine who have steadfastly demanded a free and fair election following the centrally organised fraud and dirty tricks that marred the previous round. But it took mass internal protests and close external interest, including 12,000 election monitors, to ensure that it happened! Tamara Tarnawska, president of SPA-SOS and pioneer of the Animal Protection Bill, is absolutely delighted with the election outcome as all her hopes for speedier progress within the animal welfare sphere lie with Viktor Yushchenko. | 
This way to the EU
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With Mr Yushchenko at the helm, a pro-western reformer, Ukraine will surely be making a great step forward. He has already stated that he will create a new ministry for European integration to speed Ukraine’s entry into the EU. This is great news for the animals because, for Ukraine to be successful, they will need to bring their legislation into line with those in the EU. The Animal Protection Bill passed its first reading under the old regime but there are important stages ahead before it becomes law.
Once he is inaugurated as President, one of his first tasks must be to cure Ukraine’s widespread corruption which will be a major challenge – the country is rated 122nd in an honesty league of 146 countries surveyed by Transparency International in 2004!
Other major tasks for the new president include:
- restoring faith in politics and the economy, currently run by a small group of wealthy business clans who hold colossal power and trailing far behind neighbouring countries to the west (however, the country’s economic growth could well be hampered by inflation).
- healing the east-west fault line the disputed poll revealed running down the middle of Ukraine by establishing a government of national reconciliation which makes policy for the benefit of the whole nation, not just certain regions. The Russian-speaking, heavily industrialised east backed Mr Yanukovich (the former prime minister who is pro-Moscow), while Ukrainian-speaking, cosmopolitan Kyiv and the nationalistic west with its pro-European sensibilities supported Mr Yushchenko. The industrial heartland's (Donetsk) hostility to Mr Yushchenko stems from his proposed free-market reforms. The region currently benefits from special tax rates but most of its industry’s profits have enriched a select few. It’s possible that an amnesty will be offered to the few wealthy businessmen who 'run' Donetsk if they are "prepared to start playing by the rules and pay taxes."
The new president has also pledged to work towards healing relations with Moscow, which were damaged during the election campaign: Russia is a big investor in Ukrainian business, and Ukraine is a key consumer of Russian goods. Moscow aggressively supported Mr Yanukovich in the first two rounds of voting in November, and is nervous about the eastward expansion of the EU and Nato.
