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Tymoshenko 'to argue Ukraine vote'

by Barbara McPherson | February 9, 2010 at 09:30 am

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Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine'e current prime minister has stated that there were irregularities in the election and will 'argue Ukraine votes'. This follows a narrow defeat to Viktor Yanukovych in the run off election held on Sunday. The vote spread was only 3%.
Outside observers of the election pronounced the process as fair and transparent in spite of some irregularities. Some marker pens were found to have disappearing ink in them and earlier the building that manufactures the ballots was broken into by armed men.

The offical result signalled a remarkable comeback by Yanukovych, a 59-year-old former prime minister, who was disgraced after Russia declared him winner of a 2004 presidential election that turned out to be rigged.

The poll led to the "Orange Revolution" mass street protests which Tymoshenko co-led, resulting in his victory being quashed by a court and Viktor Yushchenko, his rival, being elected.

Yulia Tymoshenko was allied with Viktor Yushchenko who is the outgoing president. He was defeated decisively in the recent election necessitating the run off by the two leading candidates.
Viktor Yanukovych has a record of support from Russia. This may signal a shift away from the west and back to the Russian bear.