Contrary to the Laws of a Genre
The campaign to elect the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the fourth convocation and regional councils of all levels fundamentally differed from what precedes parliamentary elections in civilized European states. Mykhailo Pohrebynsky, director of the Kyiv-based Center for Political Research and Conflict Studies (CPRCS), gave a few examples that confirm this already axiomatic opinion at last Friday’s press conference. And although the political scientist himself noted he was making every effort not to put our election campaign’s democratic spirit into question in the eyes of Western observers, this conclusion was self-evident – and, incidentally, not only because of the use of the administrative resource – all kinds of spin control and other like instruments in the election campaign technologies have become normal practice in the race for seats in the parliament. The simple reason is that the level of civic awareness and, accordingly, electoral preferences of most Ukrainian citizens are still far, in Mr. Pohrebynsky’s opinion, from the civilized laws of the genre.
For example, two out of four blocs in the lead were formally organized, according to Mr. Pohrebynsky, only on the eve of the elections. And, despite political scientist’s claim that the next election campaign might turn into a battle between the existing parties and the parties set up on the basis of blocs, it is clear that the leading position of one bloc or another is far from the result of its ideological standpoint. Mr. Pohrebynsky himself was convinced that most party and bloc leaders had not even read the programs they offered to voters. In general, this campaign largely came off without specific proposals by its participants about such pivotal points as healthcare and pension reforms, taxation policy, etc., the political scientist emphasized.
Is this perhaps the reason why some “missionaries of democracy” tried so hard to dodge face-to-face debates with their political rivals? Mr. Pohrebynsky believes the reasons are somewhat different. “If I were advisor to a bloc leader (following the letter of the law, let us call it X – Author) and this bloc ranked high, I would advise it not to run any risk and stay away from open debates.” the political scientist praises the professionalism of some political technologists.. A poll quoted by the political scientist revealed that twelve percent of those polled had watched the debates of SDPU(o) leader Viktor Medvedchuk and Our Ukraine leader Viktor Yushchenko and even stressed they “liked both.” Any comment? The political awareness of some of our compatriots simply defied the limits of reality!
Another confirmation that, making a choice, our citizens often bank on the “charisma” of certain politicians rather than on concrete proposals was a lengthy search for the names of certain blocs, which often ended the same. Mr. Pohrebynsky thinks. For example, “Ms. Y’s bloc” sounds better, whatever you say, than a moniker connected with a high-placed official who robbed his Fatherland. In continuation of this subject, Mr. Pohrebynsky said that what also marred the election campaign was “lack of team spirit,” i.e., non-consolidation of views inside the parties and blocs.
It will be noted, for the truth’s sake, that this did not keep the most “disciplinary” blocs from talking about their desire to rally and unite with the Ukrainian citizens. As a result, Mr. Pohrebynsky said, one of such blocs was doing nothing but deny accusations against it until March. “The bloc has also fought against the influence of the administrative resource rather than for, votes and it woke you up” as late as March, the political scientist said.
What Mr. Pohrebynsky called the main drawback of the Ukrainian election campaign is the influence of the administrative resource in the districts and the simultaneity of elections to Verkhovna Rada and local councils. Moreover, many candidates say that the first-past-the-post districts air somebody else’s views, thus deceiving the voters because the Verkhovna Rada candidate they have elected could join any faction. Holding “big” and “small” elections at the same time, the CPRCS director says, leaves voters unaware of who should be elected to local councils.
