Ukrainians prepare for elections

[Siegmund]

Ukrainians prepare for elections
Last Updated: Sunday, 26 March 2006, 02:52 GMT

Ukrainians are preparing to go to the polls, a year after the so-called "Orange Revolution" brought President Viktor Yushchenko to power.

But the popularity of Mr Yushchenko has fallen and analysts suggest his party may be beaten into second place.

Reform has been slow, the economy has slumped and the orange team has been split by a power struggle.

The elections are expected to be one of the most democratic ever held in the former Soviet republic.

Forty-five parties will be taking part and almost 2,000 international observers will be monitoring the election.

"This is the first election after the dust settled, so to speak, after the Orange Revolution. And it is really important to see how far the country has come in this time, looking at this election both politically and in terms of how it is organised," said Urdur Gunnarsdottir of the OSCE.

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[Siegmund]

Ukraine voters punish president
Last Updated: Monday, 27 March 2006, 08:37 GMT

Early results in the parliamentary poll in Ukraine suggest a dramatic setback for President Viktor Yushchenko.

The pro-Russian party of former PM Viktor Yanukovych - the man who lost the 2004 presidential election - looks set to take the largest vote share.

However, the president's party is in coalition talks with his former ally Yulia Tymoshenko's second-placed party.

The Orange Revolution allies fell out last year but they seem likely to reunite, correspondents say.

If confirmed, the results would be a humiliating blow for Mr Yushchenko, whose popularity has plunged since he took office last year.

With 10% of the vote counted, election commission officials put Mr Yanukovych's party in the lead with 24.7%, closely followed by Ms Tymoshenko's party with 23.8%.

The president's party trails in third place with 17.11%.

Counting of ballots is not expected to be completed until Tuesday.

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[Menydh]

Yes, I read on the paper that early polls are suggesting that the pro-Russian party could win.

[Siegmund]

Ukraine braces for new coalition
Last Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006, 10:50 GMT

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko has begun separate coalition talks with political rivals who beat him into third place in the general election.

He may try to reunite with his former Orange Revolution ally Yulia Tymoshenko to thwart the pro-Russia party leading with two-thirds of the votes counted.

The party of Viktor Yanukovych has just under 30% - a strong comeback following his presidential election defeat.

Many voters turned against the Orange Revolution which defeated him in 2004.

President Yushchenko's liberal Our Ukraine party is trailing in third place with 15%.

Mr Yushchenko is expected to spend Tuesday in negotiations with Mr Yanukovych and Ms Tymoshenko, whom he sacked as prime minister last September.

Ms Tymoshenko's bloc is in second place, with 22.4%. Final results are expected later on Tuesday.

Mr Yushchenko said the talks would focus on "a joint action plan that would ensure stable national development for the next four years".

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