Ukraine set to reject Orange Revolution

DISAPPOINTED with the failures of the Orange Revolution, Ukraine was yesterday poised to hand the pro-Russia Viktor Yanukovich a comeback in presidential polls at the expense of his West-leaning rivals.

Opinion polls show Yanukovich with a lead of around 10%-15% over his nearest challenger, charismatic prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. But with 18 candidates the election appears certain to require a second round.

The 2004 Orange Revolution swept Ukraine’s old order from power and raised hopes of a new era free of Kremlin influence for the country of 46 million. However, President Viktor Yushchenko, the pro-EU figurehead of the Revolution, is set to record a dismal single-digit rating and be eliminated in the first round, punished for failing to end corruption and implement urgent reforms.

“I voted for Yanukovich. I am sick of the Orange leaders. I want stability. These last five years were madness,” said Volodymyr Efremenko, 54, a manual labourer, as he cast his vote in a Kiev school.