(VOVworld)- After its 8th Parliamentary Election ended with the victory of pro-Western parties, Ukraine is now discussing the establishment of a coalition government. But internal differences and insurgent attacks in the eastern region have undermined efforts to restore peace and honour commitments to expand relations with the European Union.
After pro-Western parties won the Parliamentary election on October 26, difficulty in establishing a coalition government arose. With 98.4% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s People’s Front Party had 22.17%, closely followed by President Petro Poroshenko’s Bloc with 21.82%.
President Poroshenko in a press conference at a polling station in Kiev- Photo: AP |
Balancing interests in the new coalition government
Following the election, it was expected that these two parties would form a new government with Mr. Yatsenyuk continuing as Ukraine’s Prime Minister. To control a majority of seats in the Parliament, both Parties need support from the Self-Reliance party, which finished the third in the election. But, in a surprise move, on October 29, Yatsenyuk said he wants to be the Prime Minister but rejected the coalition agreement proposed by the Petro Poroshenko bloc. Instead, he introduced his own plan to join with other parties to form a coalition government. President Poroshenko’s policy of national reconciliation and negotiation with separatists is not supported by the more confrontational parties represented by Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. After the election, Mr. Yatsenyuk said the new government needs to deal with terrorists in the east and continue fighting for the nation. While Mr. Poroshenko pursues a moderate policy supporting reforms for the people and healing internal splits within Ukraine, his opponents accuse him of not being resolute in fighting the insurgents.
What does the future hold for Ukraine?
Mr. Poroshenko’s ability to mobilize a strong enough force to realize his policy is still a question. Hours after the election, clashes between government forces and separatists in the eastern region killed dozens of civilians. On November 2, 4 million voters in the eastern region will organize their own elections, reflecting their dismissal of the central government and the pro-Western parties. Donetsk and Luhansk said no to a ceasefire agreement and vowed they will wrest back areas now under the army’s control.
Ensuring an energy supply for the upcoming winter is another major challenge for Poroshenko, who has not found a way to pay Ukraine’s energy debt to Russia. A shrinking budget, rising inflation and a widening gap between the rich and the poor are darkening Ukraine’s future. Economic problems are making Ukrainians pessimistic about expecting changes after the election. Political instability, violence, energy shortages, hunger, and a declining economy are the stark challenges Ukraine is facing.
Right now, Ukraine needs to set up a coalition government that can restore peace and implement drastic reforms to bring the country out of a serious recession. But it’s difficult to see how Ukraine