Weekend Diary
November 16, 2009 – 9:06 amWeekend Diary
On Saturday I decided to take a break from Ukrainian politics and “escape” from Ukrainian politics by going to see the film “2012”. What better way to “escape” from reality than going to see a film about the end of the world!?
Little did I realize that even outside – and inside – the cinema “escaping” from Ukrainian politics would prove to be impossible.
As I waited to go into the cinema three young people called my name and, because I did not know them, they explained that they knew me from five years ago when they had been members of Pora. Because of this connection to the Orange Revolution I could not resist asking what they thought of the last five years. Without even thinking about the question they replied in the negative.
We then moved on to the candidates in the upcoming elections. After discussing the second round as one with “no choice” (that is, they could never vote for Viktor Yanukovych) I asked them what they thought of Arseniy Yatseniuk’s 180-degree change in views from those he had until 2008 as a member of NUNS, as Foreign Minister and Parliamentary Speaker?
One former Pora member replied that “Maybe he had no views in the first place”. Maybe she is right? As a Westerner I assume – wrongly – that everybody has a viewpoint (especially a “representative of the younger generation”) and stands for something. This is obviously the wrong conclusion to reach in a post-Soviet country like Ukraine.
During the commercials prior to the beginning of the film in the Ukrayina cinema, the packed audience were surprised to see a political advertisement by presidential candidate Yatseniuk. This was the first time in my life I had seen a political advertisement in a cinema; such a feature is uncommon in cinemas in the West.
The reaction of the audience was more interesting than the actual advertisement. They also, like myself, seemed surprised and bemused, but more importantly not very happy at the fact that Ukrainian political realities had intervened into each individual “escape” from Ukrainian politics.
I very much doubt that Yatseniuk obtained additional voters from the investment he made into the commercials shown inside Ukrainian cinema’s before the start of films. If anything, the opposite is true and he probably lost voters.
The following day I purchased a copy of newly published political magazines. The front cover of Ukayinsky Tyzhden said everything (http://www.ut.net.ua/) there was to say about how Ukrainians relate to Arsenii. UT’s depiction of him is the same as that found on the political satire Nedotorkani (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7bg306NQnw) that was prepared for TRK Ukrayina but was never aired on the channel.
Why Nedotorkani was never aired I have no idea. Maybe after watching the show TRK Ukrayina management decided to also take a time-out from Ukrainian politics. I recommend nevertheless watching it on the internet as it very well made.
5 Responses to “Weekend Diary”
Before you dismiss Yatseniuk out of hand, you should watch the Savik Shuster show, where Saakashvili appeared on the firts part of the program, and then there was a discussion about the problems of Ukraine.
Yatseniuk rocked!
Unfortunately, it was another one of those Ukrainian programs where people are long-winded, and make simple things complicated. I give huge credit to Savik Shuster for devoting that much air time to Ukraine’s terminally long-winded and repetitive politicians.
Plus, it’s like watching a kindergarten class in democracy.
But, it had some interesting moments – like when Yatseniuk said that the only difference between the US and Europeans, on the one hand, and rooshans on the other, was that the US and Europeans smiled, and the rooshans did not.
And – even Hanna Herman, from the Party of Regions, criticized Tymo (rightly so) for giggling when Putler was in Yalta, putting down on both Yushchenko and Saakashvili, while she was conducting talks with Putler about gas agreements. This was the second time she giggled when Putler put down on Ukraine’s president.
http://shuster.kanalukraina.tv/video/3325_kak_ukraine_sberech_nezavisimost?_anons/
By elmer on Nov 24, 2009
Yatseniuk may not be totally out of the race but he has lost his chance that he had in the spring to overtake Tymoshenko. One reason is that his program has led to declining support in the West without a commiserate rise in the east. See my analysis of Yatseniuk’s weird foreign policy:
http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnewstt_news=35761
Yatseniuk will be hard pressed to keep third place as he will be challenged strongly by Tihipko and Yushchenko.
By Taras on Nov 24, 2009
Have comments gone missing or subjected to heavy handed censorship?
There is no contest in this election. There is only two candidates that can progress to the second round of voting.
Yatseniuk is currently in third place – ten percentage points behind Yulia Tymochenko. He is not attracking any significant support. Nor should he. He is seen as being too close to Yushchenko and offers no policy of change.
The two round first-past-the post voting system works against like minded candidates.
Our Ukraine are standing four candidates in this election and each one is competing against each other for the same bone.
Yatseniuk’s candidature is welcomed as it will prevent Yushchenko from being re-elected to a second term of office. Had he not stood Yushchenko’s support base may be higher.
53 days to the first round of voting and there is no change in the expected outcome. The first polls since nominations closed will be out soon. I do not expect there to be any significant shift or change. Yulia Tymochenko and Yanukovych will retain their position. Supporters of minor candidates will have to make a choice Yanukovych or Tymoshchenko? I would have to say that Yanukovych is in poll position but as others have said (Taras Chernovil for example) Yulia is still in the race and could claw back support in the final round. She is an impressive campaigner.
By UkrToday on Nov 24, 2009
I only delete when there is abuse and not for political reasons.
By Taras on Nov 24, 2009
Taras, on the Shuster show, Yatseniuk set forth a foreign policy of keeping Ukraine out of anyone’s orbit or sphere of influence.
He also criticized the current gas deals, just like the Party of Regions is doing, harking back to gas at $50 and, of all things, the good old days of a previous government-to-government contract between Ukraine and roosha – and RosUkrEnergo!!!!
And, of course, everyone accused everyone else of corruption, and – of “not being a new face.”
Hanna Herman was dripping sarcasm all over the place, and she and Akimova (Party of Regions) accused Yatseniuk of simply latching on to whatever and whomever he could, bouncing around from minister in Crimea to Speaker in Parliament and elsewhere.
Yatseniuk defended himself pretty well, stating that he had carved out his life on his own, for himself, with the help of his wife, who had to bounce around the country with him in his various posts.
Ukrainians have several bad habits, among them – being extremely long-winded, not being able to focus and plan (well, except for corruption), and making simple things complicated.
One alarming thing – Akimova, the hatchet woman from the Party of Regions, kept pushing the idea that Ukrainians truly want a “strong man, strong-arm” government, and not democracy.
So Ukrainians are supposedly brain dead, according to the Party of Regions, and they really and truly are begging for a dictator.
How convenient for the Kuchma thugs from the Party of Regions.
By elmer on Nov 24, 2009