While a great deal of media attention in the West has focused on President-elect Yanukovich’s “Russian-leaning” tendencies and his political comeback, the truly remarkable story is that Ukraine just held an election in which no one was certain who would win and the OSCE and other international organizations have deemed fair. To put this in a regional context, imagine Russia or Belarus having an election and not being sure if Putin or Lukashenko might not win.
While Prime Minister Tymoshenko is challenging the results of the election, it is her legal right and procedures are in place to ensure that the recount is done in a transparent manner. Given the relatively narrow margin of victory it is likely that either candidate would have asked for a recount if their party came up short.
What her challenge really indicates is that whoever will take over the presidency will have to form a coalition with others to get substantive reform accomplished. If either candidate tries to consolidate power they will quickly find their hands bound by Ukraine’s civil society, which has matured after the street protests of the Orange Revolution.
At the heart of democracy is how elected officials govern on a day-to-day basis; elections are mere referendums on how they are listening. Given the widespread voter discontent with all political parties and the high level of cynicism among young and old alike, the interesting story moving forward is whether Ukrainian leaders will heed the lesson that what you say in elections means nothing to constituents if you don’t listen in-between. Taking civil society seriously as partners in democratic governance is crucial to listening, winning future elections, and delivering on promises.
Published Date: February 09, 2010