The first Ukrainian presidential election since the country’s Orange Revolution took place on Sunday, Jan. 17.
Just five years ago, Ukraine was a nation in turmoil.
The country’s 2004 presidential election was marred with the suspicion of a rigged election, plagued by electoral intimidation and interrupted by the poisoning of one candidate – Hollywood could not have crafted a better drama.
When Ukrainian citizens began lashing out against their government, believing they were victims of electoral fraud and that the Kremlin was the mastermind behind it all, the Orange Revolution was born.
While the pro-democratic coloured rebellion was a success, Sunday’s election proved what a difference five years can make.
On Sunday, Ukrainians chose to oust Orange Revolution darling Viktor Yushchenko.
According to the Moscow News, voters punished Yushchenko by only affording the leader 5 per cent of the vote.
This left candidates Viktor Yanukovich and Yulia Tymoshenko, both known for their decisively pro-Russian tendencies, vying for the top post.
According to preliminary results, Yanukovich secured 35 per cent of the vote and Tymoshenko 25 per cent.
As no candidate secured 50 per cent of all ballots cast, a runoff election will take place on Feb. 7.
Until this time, Ukraine’s soap opera-like saga will continue.
