September 25, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A third of adults in Ukraine would like their country’s elections to be fought on a constituency basis, according to a poll by the Razumkov Center. 33.2 per cent of respondents would prefer to use the first-past-the-post system.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A third of adults in Ukraine would like their country’s elections to be fought on a constituency basis, according to a poll by the Razumkov Center. 33.2 per cent of respondents would prefer to use the first-past-the-post system.

In addition, 15.4 per cent of respondents want all Ukrainian lawmakers to be chosen through proportional representation, where candidates are placed in party lists, while 26.9 per cent would prefer a mixed system.

Following its independence in 1991, Ukraine used a mixed system in its elections to the 450-member Supreme Council, with 225 members elected in single-seat constituencies, and 225 chosen by proportional representation with a three per cent threshold. Under the terms of the amended constitution—which came into effect in January 2006—all seats are now allocated by proportional representation with a three per cent threshold.

When asked how their national government should be assembled, 40.7 per cent of respondents say the president should form the administration and submit it to Parliament for its approval, while 24.1 per cent want the legislative branch to appoint the government on its own. Only 16.1 per cent of respondents would give the head of state the prerogative to assemble the administration at will.

Ukrainian voters renewed the Supreme Council in March 2006. Prime minister Viktor Yanukovych’s Party of Regions (PR) won 186 seats in the legislative branch, followed by the opposition Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc with 129, the People’s Union-Our Ukraine (NS-NU) of current president Viktor Yushchenko with 81, the Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU) with 33, and the Communist Party of Ukraine (KPU) with 21 mandates.

In July, the "anti-crisis" coalition—which includes the PR, the SPU and the KPU—was formally announced. In August, Yanukovych was confirmed as prime minister, while Yushchenko remained as president.

On Apr. 2, Yushchenko dissolved the Supreme Council and called an early ballot. On May 27, Yushchenko and Yanukovych agreed to hold an election on Sept. 30.

A series of public demonstrations took place in Kiev after the November 2004 presidential run-off. The Ukrainian Supreme Court eventually invalidated the results of the second round, and ordered a special re-vote. Opposition candidate Yushchenko—whose supporters wore orange-coloured clothing at events and rallies—received 51.99 per cent of all cast ballots, defeating Yanukovych.

On Sept. 24, Yushchenko and Tymoshenko rallied together again and tried to assure voters of their renewed partnership against Yanukovych. Yushchenko declared: "Some of you may have given up the fight or have come with heads bowed, weary of quarrels. I understand how you feel. (...) Mistakes were made, humiliating, immoral actions committed. But our time has come. If we want the Ukrainian nation to win here we must overcome our own egoism. We must be united."

Tymoshenko—who sided with Yushchenko at the time of the "Orange Revolution"—served as prime minister from January 2005 to September 2005.

Polling Data

Which electoral system would you prefer for Ukraine?

A first-past-the-post system, where candidates earn seats by getting more votes than any rival in a specific constituency	33.2%
A proportional system, where candidates are placed in party lists	15.4%
A mixed system	26.9%

Which of these statements do you agree with the most?

The government should be formed by the president and approved by Parliament	40.7%
The government should be formed and approved exclusively by Parliament	24.1%
The government should be formed and approved exclusively by the president	16.1%

Source: Razumkov Center
Methodology: Interviews with 2,004 Ukrainian adults, conducted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 10, 2007. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.