Steven25's Blog

Ukraine’s oligarchs are competing and co-operating to build networks of parliamentary deputies who will lobby their interests

The results of the elections on 26 October to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) clearly show a return to the status quo ante, to the time of secure oligarchic rule before the Maidan. The Ukrainian ruling class continues on its course to reinforce its control over the state rather than to democratise and decentralise power. This appears to be its instinctive response to the external challenge posed by Russia and the deepening social and economic crisis at home.

The election results

Turnout for these elections was 52%, the lowest since the first multiparty elections to the Verkhovna Rada were held in 1990. Voting took place in 198 of the original 225 constituencies. Excluded were all 12 constituencies of Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, and 15 constituencies in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts where the…