Ukraine – government today

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

The remaking of Ukraine’s political system began with Yanukovich’s decision in November 2013 to suspend the signing of the association and free trade agreement with the European Union.

The remaking of Ukraine’s political system began with Yanukovich’s decision in November 2013 to suspend the signing of the association and free trade agreement with the European Union. The decision, along with Yanukovich’s attempts to get closer with Russia, prompted the Euromaidan protest movement, which culminated in the president’s ouster less than three months later.

The parliamentary makeup and broader political system of Ukraine have changed significantly since the February uprising that unseated the government of former President Viktor Yanukovich. With parliamentary elections set for Oct. 26, another major transformation is imminent; several parties and blocs that did not exist before the protests will have significant representation in the next government. In particular, the elections will strengthen the pro-Western element of the government. But the primary challenge influencing Ukraine’s foreign policy decisions — namely, Russian pressure — will remain unchanged for the next government.

Replacing Yanukovich was an interim government led by the three former opposition parties that were major players in the protests: the Fatherland party, Udar and Svoboda. Fatherland lawmaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk had already been appointed as prime minister in an EU-brokered agreement before Yanukovich’s ouster, and another member of the party, Oleksandr Turchynov, became acting president. Most other Cabinet posts went to the other two parties.

What followed were major defections from the pro-Russian parties in parliament, most notably from the Party of Regions. Many of the party’s lawmakers left in an attempt to distance themselves from Yanukovich, becoming either independent members of parliament or joining new blocs, such as the Sovereign European Ukraine party and the Economic Development party. A similar phenomenon occurred, though on a smaller scale, in the Communist Party.

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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