Publications in Foreign Media, Speeches

"Krylov: insight into political deadlock".

 

Sir, Indeed it is unlikely that a “three-way tussle in Ukrainian election” (Report, October 1) between Viktor Yushchenko, Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich will break the prolonged political deadlock in Ukraine. Ukrainians have long since dubbed the ongoing political squabble between the three politicians as “the Swan, the Crab and the Pike” after the fable by Krylov, the famous Russian writer. Occupying different natural habitats, no matter how hard the animals try, they fail in their collective pursuit of dragging the farm cart.

Alas, despite some concrete achievements in the spheres of democracy and the rule of law, with noticeable growth and economic stability, Ukraine is unstable politically. The governing elite will continue to apply power in different directions without consulting one another (or indeed the ordinary citizens). With or without an outright winner of the elections, the question of a referendum about the most pressing issues currently tearing Ukraine apart is yet to be floated. Alternatively, the three main political forces have to find strong political will and broad consensus, or else be faced with the destruction of everything Ukrainians have achieved so far.

Illya Rozenbaum,
Assistant to Justas Paleckis, MEP

 

 

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007

Published: 3 October 2007