Presidential Election Results in Ukraine Signal the Possible End of the Orange Revolution

By Indra Baatarkhuu

Counting of more than 97% of votes of the presidential run-off elections in Ukraine revealed the lead of the pro-Russian candidate Mr. Viktor Yanukovych over his bitter opponent Mrs. Yuliya Tymoshenko by almost 3% of votes.

Mr. Yanukovych describes the results as a “turning point in the country’s history.” The apparent ensuing victory of the 59-year-old former Prime Minister has the potential to restore the dominance of Russian influence in Ukraine and break the ties with the Europe and NATO which Mrs.Tymoshenko has been diligently building after accusing the president elect Mr. Yanukovych of the electoral fraud, suing the case to the Supreme Court and leading the Orange revolution of 2004.

The west seems to be much concerned about the results of elections. Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Rapporters for Ukraine, Ms. Hanne Severinsen, described Mr. Yanukovych’s victory as a “tragedy.”

However, unlike the past one, 2010 presidential elections in Ukraine has been evaluated by the international observers as an "impressive display of democratic elections".

“The voting was fair, clear and transparent”, said the observers of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Mr. Yanukovych is confident in his victory too. "I think Yulia Tymoshenko should prepare to resign. She understands that well," he addressed Ukrainian people on Sunday night. The deputy head of Yakunovych’s party emphasizes the fact that the election reflects the choice of people: “The first rule for a true democrat is to accept defeat when that is the will of the people."

In contrast to this confidence of Yanukovych, his female rival well-known for her hair braids does not seem to concede defeat so easily. "It is too soon to draw any conclusions," she said.

Tymoshenko's campaign chief Alexander Turchinov insisted Sunday there was evidence of fraud. Her election observers claim to have been barred from 1,000 polling stations in the eastern Donetsk region and accused Yanukovych of "open banditry and terrorism."

Mrs.Tymoshenko has not appealed to the court yet and remains silent.

Mr. Yanukovych has made his appeal during the elections promising to unite the country and change policies that favored only some regions of the country. He said he will do this by removing restrictions on the use of the Russian language in schools and media and balancing ties between Ukraine's diverse neighbors. This move certainly was at heart of the Russian-speaking east who did not feel they were treated equally with their western compatriots under the previous government.

Many others made their decision in favor of Mr. Yanukovych in hope of political stability and economic recovery.

"I want stability and order," Tatyana Volodaschuk, 60-year-old voter weary of political turmoil said. "Yanukovych offers us the guarantee of a normal life."

Either presidential candidates’ victories will have symbolic meaning in their political careers and personal lives. The victory of Tymoshenko would mean the further development of Europe-Ukraine relations and possible future entry of Ukraine into the European Union and NATO.

Despite opposition in their political views and policies, ironic parallel exists between the rivals – both will have their anniversaries in 2010. So the answer to the question who gets the present of Ukraine for his/her anniversary : Mrs. Timoshenko for her 50^th anniversary or Mr. Yakunovich for his 60^th anniversary will soon be known, deciding which way the country will move.