Political Turmoil

For those of you who may not be aware, this has also been the month for political crisis in Ukraine. Earlier this month, President Viktor Yushenko, the hero of the 2004 Orange Revolution, disbanded parliament in an attempt to hold on to power. His rival Viktor Yanukovich had been alledgedly illegally recruiting members of Yushenko’s party to switch to his own party, which had shifted the balance of parliament and essentially robbed the President of any political power. In order to make a move at asserting his Presidential power, Yushenko disbanded Rada, the parliamentary body, and called for new elections. The case of course was appealed by Yanukovich and taken to the country’s highest court. Recently the courts came to their decision that the disbandment was constitutional and that elections could take place on June 27th. Given my major in international relations and minor in international politics, this is a very interesting time for me to be in Ukraine!