Will Ukraine’s 2019 Elections Be a Turning Point? Unlikely, but dangers lurk
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Date
2018
Authors
Haran, Oleksii
Burkovsky, Petro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Next year, amid an ongoing conflict with Russia, sluggish economic recovery, and the
rise of populism, Ukrainians will elect a new president (in March) and a new parliament
(in October). Although the Ukrainian public is fragmented in its support of the six or
seven frontrunners and parties, the outcome of both elections is not likely to bring
radical change to Kyiv’s foreign and security policies-unless Russia decides to
intervene, with or without violence. Ukrainians may be wary about Russian-backed
activities, such as fostering a divisive referendum about conflict resolution in the Donbas
or stirring up tensions between the government and ethnic minorities or Moscow
patriarchate zealots. The country’s Western partners should not downplay the Kremlin’s
potential interventions, nor should they overreact to any new configurations of
Ukrainian political power. Perhaps the most important imperative for both Ukrainians
and the West is to continue pushing for the separation of oligarchs from the levers of
governance. Although much can change over the next five months, the current outlook
is that political developments in 2019 are not expected to produce another major turning
point in the colorful history of Ukraine.
Description
Keywords
politology, elections, Ukraine, Poroshenko’s Legacy, Russian Meddling, business, article
Citation
Haran O. Will Ukraine’s 2019 Elections Be a Turning Point? Unlikely, but dangers lurk [electronic resourse] / Oleхiy Haran, Petro Burkovsky // PONARS Eurasia Policy Memo. - Electronic data. - 2018. - November. - No. 552. - P. 1-7. - Mode of access: Internet. - Title from the screen (viewed 07.12.2018).