Kyiv Post Endorses Tymoshenko Bloc

The Kyiv Post provides arguments for its decision to back the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc in the September 30, 2007 parliamentary election instead of other political groups.

On September 19, the Kyiv Post announced their endorsement of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) for next week’s parliamentary election in Ukraine. The newspaper notes a degree of hesitation with this declaration, feeling that Tymoshenko is the lesser of all evils.

The paper notes that the Communist Party would return Ukraine to its tragic past, cripple the economy, and end the democratic movement. The Socialist Party, once an ally of the Orange Revolution proponents, is questionable due to the actions of its leader, Oleksandr Moroz, who fears losing what power he has in the Ukrainian government.

Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych has shown little competence in government. The party tried to steal the November 2004 election and while holding majority power in the Verkhovna Rada, failed to defend the country’s energy interests and restricted grain exports, amongst other things. Inside favoritism has also been a trademark of this group.

Regarding President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine - People’s Self Defense Bloc, the publication notes that this group has done little for the country. Yushchenko had chances to establish a new political order, but his government moved so slowly that they left the country without government and reforms.

As for Tymoshenko, the paper notes her lack of understanding free markets during her short term as prime minister. In her defense, Tymoshenko has lead a long fight against corruption in government and has been capable of getting things done. The paper hopes she can learn from her mistakes and having been dismissed two years ago as Ukraine’s prime minister.

There is still one week to go before the election. Please cast your vote in our poll for the political group you would like to see win on September 30 (at the bottom of the main topic page).