Sexing Up Ukrainian Politics

The annual lunch hosted by Ukrainian powerbroker and philanthropist Viktor Pinchuk in Davos has often been a bellwether for the tangled politics of the huge country of 46 million sandwiched between Russia and Europe.

Friday’s was no exception given that the second round of presidential elections falls on Feb. 7. Mr. Pinchuk opened the proceedings with a spoof movie on the Brangelina hit ”Mr. and Mrs. Smith” — where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie first fell in love — entitled ”Mr. and Mrs. Y,” referring to the two contenders, Viktor F. Yanukovich and Yulia Tymoshenko.

Mr. Pinchuk had promised moderator Chrystia Freeland, The Financial Times’ editor in the United States who is of Ukrainian origin, that he wanted to make Ukraine’s confusing politics ‘’sexy.”

”I didn’t really think he was going to go quite so far,” she said.

The candidates, both busy campaigning, addressed the lunch and fielded questions via video, Ms. Tymoshenko from Kiev and Mr. Yanukovich from Zaporozhye. The link broke down a few times, giving rise to quips about how much Ukraine hears the world, or the world Ukraine.

Both candidates promised reforms to build a strong and democratic state, maintaining good ties with both Russia and the European Union. Outsiders like Alexander Krasniewski, the former president of Poland, and Carl Bildt, the foreign minister of Sweden, lauded Ukraine for holding free, fair and uncontested polls in the first round last month.

Two candidates who represented a break with the familiar triangle of Mr. Yanukovich, Ms. Tymoshenko and current president Viktor Yuschchenko — businessman Sergei Tigipko and lawyer Arseny Yatsenyuk — also addressed the Davos lunch, and Ms. Tymoshenko offered Mr. Tigipko the eventual post of prime minister if she wins.

The overwhelming conclusion: no matter who wins Feb. 7, they have tough work ahead to unite a notoriously divided elite, to reform an ailing economy and instill the rule of law.

Undoubtedly, Ukraine has held an election of more genuine choice than would be possible currently in, say, Russia. Now we’ll see whether whatever outcome emerges, it is accepted by winners and losers alike.

by Alison Smale

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