Ukraine

Author(s): Robert Orttung
Editor(s): Arch Puddington, Aili Piano, Camille Eiss, Katrina Neubauer, Tyler Roylance
Book Title: Freedom in the World 2008
Pages: 738-743
Publisher(s): Freedom House
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Place: New York

Disagreements between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and President Viktor Yushchenko over their respective powers led to a showdown in 2007. In a controversial move, Yushchenko disbanded the parliament three years before its term expired and called new elections. After several months of resistance and occasionally tense negotiations, all the parties agreed to allow the voting to proceed. The elections were conducted according to democratic norms, and while former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was able to return to the premiership, Yanukovych's party increased its parliamentary representation. The year's political conflicts revealed a lack of respect for the division of power and the rule of law, with both the presidential and prime ministerial factions of the executive interfering in the courts. Corruption remained a key problem, particularly in the energy sector.

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