Tymoshenko vs. Yanukovich
Ukrainians are voting for a new president in a run-off between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich which could bring a new bout of instability to the country.
Updated:
07.02.2010 15:11:07

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Ukranians vote in run-off
Analysts see a narrow Yanukovich victory but Tymoshenko has threatened to call for protests in a replay of the 2004 "Orange Revolution" if she deems the vote unfair.


A decisive outcome should reset the ex-Soviet republic´s relations Russia, which plummeted under pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko, and decide the speed of Ukraine´s path into the European mainstream.


Challenges to the result will further hurt confidence in the crisis-hit economy and may delay talks with the International Monetary Fund, which suspended its $16.4 billion bailout plan on broken promises to control state spending.


The euphoria of 2004, when protests overturned the rigged results that gave Yanukovich victory, has disappeared after years of rowing amongst the political elite that has paralysed policy-making.


A close result challenged in court will only prolong instability in the country of 46 million people. Both candidates say they want to integrate with Europe while improving ties with Moscow, though Tymoshenko is seen as more enthusiastic about the EU.


Voting ends at 8.00 p.m. (1800 GMT), and exit polls are expected to follow swiftly. OSCE observers will present their findings on Monday.
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