On the Way to Democracy

By Roman Tashleetsky

Less than two weeks before the Ukrainian election on March 26, polls  are predicting the success of at least three political forces: the Party of Regions, headed by Victor Yanukovych, the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko and the People’s Union “Our Ukraine.”

Last year, when Ukrainians flooded the streets during the Orange Revolution, it was unforeseeable that in the parliamentary election, the Party of Regions, which falsified the presidential election, would be leading. Many people have rushed to express their disappointment with the new government. But are their conclusions too hasty?

Many are saying that we stood in the Maidan to oppose the criminals, and now they are coming to power again, instead of going to jail for infringements in the 2004 election.  Yet, despite the new government's numerous slip-ups, improvements in the freedom of speech and the supremacy of the law are indubitable. This time around, the electoral campaign is being held at a qualitatively higher level. Just over a year ago, students were expelled from universities for “incorrect” political views and factory workers were forced to go to meetings in support of pro-governmental forces. People feared to express their viewpoint, sure that it was impossible to change anything.  

It is largely a different picture today. In town squares and cities, campaign tents of opposing political parties peacefully coexist: one distributes leaflets supporting integration with the EU and NATO, another, leaflets for uniting with Russia and making Russian the second state language. Mass media provide equal broadcast time to all, ads are shown without restrictions, and singers campaign at their own discretion, not worrying about their careers. Seemingly, for the first time, we have a possibility to participate in a truly democratic election.

Granted, in some regions, primarily in the East and South, changes are too slow. There are reports of attacks on Orange supporters and campaign tents and the persecution of their campaigners. This is occurring mainly because local governments have not changed. Mayors, and deputies of town, district and regional councils are not elected, and incumbents are trying to keep power.

Sometimes the opposition gets its gruel too: in Sumy people threw brooms at Natalya Vitrenko, the Progressive-Socialist Party leader and representative of the town of Konotop, and called her the “Konotopska witch” (alluding to a character in a novel). Unfortunately, changes in people’s consciousness are slow. Tolerance and respect for the law hasn’t yet become the norm.

Those critical of the new government are also accusing it of granting immunity to those who falsified the 2004 presidential election. But, in the pre-election environment, tension is substantial. Prosecuting representatives of the opposition is perceived as “political persecution,” and could lead to even more instability. On the other hand, Ukraine’s judicial system needs reforms. Currently, one can appeal a decision of one court, and then “buy” the desired decision of another.

Certainly, one blunder the Orange forces must be reproached for is their failure to stay together, at least until the election. Undoubtedly, if they had remained as one team, they would have taken the majority of votes. Now, votes will be dispersed. It is especially deplorable because the conflicts are caused by ambitious whims rather than ideological divergence.

The “Blue-White” opposition can’t boast of their unity either. Those who resisted the “Orange plague” are going separate ways.  It was the Party of Regions that wished to go separately. Their main campaign investor, billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, likely does not want to share the laurels of victory. Such “grandees” as Leonid Kravchuk and Victor Medvedchuk, who represent the “Ne Tak!” bloc, have low ratings.  Vitrenko, Yanukovych’s former ally, is not with him either, even though their pro-Russian views coincide. Vitrenko’s statements are radical and scare electors away or lead to inter-ethnic hostility.

Generally, Ukrainians are exhausted by the elections. All are hoping that a calm political life will ensue after March 26. The majority still hopes that the Orange forces will unite – before or after the election. In the aggregate, the “Orange” have a chance to establish a pro-presidential majority in the Supreme Rada and, later, appoint their prime-minister. Together, the President with the legislative and executive government could then set up an efficient team that could realize the program for which Victor Yushchenko was elected.

The first year of the new government was, at times, unsuccessful. Yet, in the revolution we gained what is most important, the freedom that makes it now possible to conduct a fair parliamentary election on which Ukrainians pin great hopes.

Roman Tashleetsky is a Ukrainian graduate student at the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv.  He holds a diploma in English and French Language and Literature from the Lesia Ukrainka National University of Volyn.