Ukraine’s Form of Government

A recent poll indicates Ukrainian citizens prefer their current form of government, but President Viktor Yushchenko has plans for a change to a presidential republic.

In a poll conducted between February 22 and 28, the Kyiv International Sociology Institute found that almost 40% of Ukrainian citizens prefer their current form of government, a parliamentary-presidential republic. However, President Viktor Yushchenko believes the current system is flawed and wishes to change Ukraine to become a purely presidential republic.

After Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004 and problems that led to the tension-filled Parliamentary election in September 2007, I cannot blame Yushchenko for wanting change. I agree with Yushchenko that change is needed, but I am not sure his proposition is the best solution.

More important than my opinion, apparently the citizens of Ukraine also have their doubts. Only 19% of respondents favored a presidential republic - definitely not a glowing recommendation. The poll results revealed the following:

• A parliamentary-presidential republic - 38%
• A presidential-parliamentary republic - 21%
• A presidential republic - 19%
• A parliamentary republic - 7%
• One-man rule - 2%
• Not sure - 13%

It is not clear if Yushchenko will really take action, but to stand a chance of getting re-elected in the next Presidential campaign, he better think twice before upsetting voters with such a change. According to recent surveys, if the Presidential election was held today, Yushchenko stands no chance against Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. Any possible chance of re-election not only requires Tymoshenko to lose support, but Yushchenko needs to make huge gains. That will not happen if he goes against the people’s wishes