Two years ago, with some significant help from the United States, Viktor Yuschenko was elected President. (Yuschenko was the one who was poisoned immediately before the elections, presumably by his opponent's Moscow-based friends).
Democracy in that former Socialist country probably took at least a couple of steps back today as Yuschenko's rival in that contested election, Viktor Yanukovich (former prime minister), was handily elected to the Prime Minister spot by the Ukraine parliament. This means that US-backed Yuschenko has to share powers with Moscow-backed Yanukovich.
"...The further development of Ukrainian democracy is clouded," said political analyst Vadim Karasyov in televised comments.
"It is a not a real coalition government, they are mostly allies of Yanukovich. The government is a step forward but facing backwards. It is like deja vu."
The US State Dept. has pledged to work with the new Prime Minister, but people in Kiev have their doubts, most of them fearing that Ukraine will once again come under the direct influence of Moscow.
Miulang
Democracy in that former Socialist country probably took at least a couple of steps back today as Yuschenko's rival in that contested election, Viktor Yanukovich (former prime minister), was handily elected to the Prime Minister spot by the Ukraine parliament. This means that US-backed Yuschenko has to share powers with Moscow-backed Yanukovich.
"...The further development of Ukrainian democracy is clouded," said political analyst Vadim Karasyov in televised comments.
"It is a not a real coalition government, they are mostly allies of Yanukovich. The government is a step forward but facing backwards. It is like deja vu."
The US State Dept. has pledged to work with the new Prime Minister, but people in Kiev have their doubts, most of them fearing that Ukraine will once again come under the direct influence of Moscow.
Miulang
Comment