Ersatz debate in Davos

In mature democracies it is quite common to hold a debate between the two candidates in the course of a second round of the presidential elections. At the time of the first round, the differences between stronger and weaker candidates are so big that the former are not too keen on comparing themselves to the latter. Therefore, while having the two strongest candidates in the second round, a debate seems to be quite necessary. It did not happen so far in Ukraine. Whilst in Davos an ersatz of such a debate took place in a form of candidates’ presentations. Why do I call it an ersatz? Both candidates, Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko, were talking in separate parts of the debate with participants of the 6th Ukrainian Lunch, organised in Davos by Viktor Pinchuk. Some prominent persons were among those, who participated in this event. Starting from former president of Poland, Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, through Mr Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, to numerous businessmen, and journalists. The conference room was full. Those, who asked the most questions, were Members of the Board of Yalta European Strategy (YES).

In my opinion, this debate was much better for Viktor Yanukovych, who was easy going, certain of his victory, trying to be auto ironic and joking. After a question, whom is he going to call after the elections, he claimed he will be waiting for phonecalls himself, since he is already waiting for those for last five years. On the other hand, Yulia Tymoshenko, who was very well prepared for this debate, behaved as if she was in a middle of election campaign meeting: speaking of her program with a great passion. She will surely be very well remembered. During the debate, Tymoshenko has offered to Serhii Tihipko the post of president, while this was certainly a mistake, as she would see him as a Prime Minister in her government. We were supposed to experience a good political show, which in fact was – thanks to the presence of the Ukrainian television – the last significant accent of this election campaign. One could expect that if a real debate would take place – with candidates sitting in one room, asking each other questions, and following a previously agreed scenario, talking to one another, and not through the audience, in a specific place as Davos is, the atmosphere of such discussion would be a lot better.

However, this kind of debate is better than nothing. All interested parties are looking forward to the outcome of the elections. The potential of Ukraine is still very big. Therefore, everyone expects it to outburst soon. I had a chance to ask Viktor Yanukovych why is he presented as an anti-European politician, where would that ‘label’ come from. He would only smile and reply in a tactful manner that I should find an answer myself. I can surely do that, however, it is a pity that Yanukovych did not develop on the idea of his plans for European integration. In this particular case, Tymoshenko was very precise and unequivocal: she wants Ukraine to be one of the member states of the European Union.

Marek SIWIEC, Member of the European Parliament