Analysis of the Forecoming Presidential Elections in Ukraine on 25th May 2014: Where Do We Stand?
BRUSSELS, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Coming at a time when Ukraine faces serious political, social and economic turmoil, the country will hold its Presidential elections on 25th May, same day as the elections to the European Parliament. Yesterday's event at the Brussels Press Club analysed various positions on the future elections and its possible consequences and outcomes. Hosted by the International Foundation for Better Governance, the panel of speakers has tried to determine the possible outcomes of these elections and define the challenges the new President will face.
Opening the debate, Katerina Odarchenko, President of the Institute for Democracy and Development - Polita, provided an overview of the candidates and their programmes. She stressed that "despite the very large number of candidates - twenty - all election programmes are populist and similar to each other. And despite the emergence of a new political scene, all leading candidates are politicians from former governments. This implies that people vote for the politicians' 'brands' rather than for their programmes and real values."
Odarchenko stressed that there is no guarantee for an improvement of the situation because of an obvious similarity in the presented programmes. However most candidates recognised that the ban on Russian as an official language in Ukraine would be detrimental: preserving the rights of minorities is the only chance for the country to remain united.
Providing an academic point of view, Svitlana Kobzar, Professor at the Vesalius University, stressed that "Ukraine is a multi-ethnic country that has to make it work and 'come together'. That is why these elections are more important than ever: they will make a statement and establish a legitimate government - one that is elected by the nation." According to Kobzar, the election will result in a power shakeup and reshuffle. She also highlighted Ukranians' loss of trust in government, caused by the failure of the current system, which is centred on the separation between East and West.
Experts also raised questions about the legitimacy of the elections, especially if Donetsk and Luhansk - regions that remain important on a national level - refuse to participate. In such a scenario, would the elections represent the choice of a whole country?
Focussing on national priorities and relations with the EU, Olena Dyachenko, a political expert from Ukraine, added that "the priority for EU-Ukraine relationships should avoid rushing to sign the association agreement as soon as possible." She said that two parties should focus on developing a new security architecture in Europe in order to restore the state of law.
Olaf Wientzek, a research associate from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, highlighted the need to "consider the Parliamentary elections in Ukraine with caution because a sudden reshuffle in the government may further destabilise the country." He added, "There is an urgent need for increased cooperation and dialogue between Kiev and the various regions."
All speakers stressed that Ukraine seeks to build a good relationship both with the EU and Russia, and is aware of the need to maintain a balance between both sides.
In conclusion, James Wilson, Head of the International Foundation for Better Governance, noted that the new Ukrainian President should not underestimate the challenges left by previous governments that he or she will inherit. He added that Ukraine has many internal issues in the fields of corruption, human rights and national unity that must be solved, or at least improved, before the country can join the EU. This position was supported by Olena Dyachenko: "All discussions of Ukrainian efforts to join the EU should start only when the entire country is ready to live according to European standards, rather than following the signing of an association agreement."
The International Foundation for Better Governance is an independent Brussels-based NGO which purpose is promoting and lobbying for the rights of citizens, and defending their freedoms and rights enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. The organisation is registered under the European Commission's Transparency Register, and is headquartered in Brussels from where it undertakes work to support national and international organisations that share its values.
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