Well, the first round of the Presidential elections is over with the results as follows:
Victor Yanukovych = 35%, Yulia Tymoshenko = 25%, Sergey Tygipko = 13%, Arseniy Yatsenyuk = 7% and Victor Yushenko (Current President) just 5.45%
Turnout was 67%.
Compared to the Orange Revolution of 2004, these elections were very boring. But things have changed much since 2004/5. The Orange 'Revolution" is now dead and gone. The constant disputes between Prime Minister Tymoshemko and President Yushenko lasted far too long and the population had got tired of the political 'circus' in Ukraine.
So, the second round of the election will take place on 7 February between Yanukovych and Tymoshemko. Whats interesting is that 3rd and 4th placed candidates, Tygipko and Yatsenyuk coul dhold the balance of power. Both the candidates in the second round willbe trying to win over the supports from the 3rd and 4th candidates. Tymoshenko has already offered the job of Prime Minister to Sergey Tygipko, but he claims to be waiting for the results before he accepts any offers.
I think the situation will get very intense between now and 7th February.
But, in my current state of negative opinion, I dont think much will change in Ukraine no matter who wins the election. The country is in bad shape and this year will be another hard year for business in Ukraine. The boom years are over.
But thinking positively. The country still offers opportunities. Western European based businesess can still look towards Ukraine as a low cost economy for production purposes.
We just need to persuade more investors to look at Ukraine more seriously.
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