Ukraine braced for acrimonious election re-run

Ukraine’s rival presidential candidates traded accusations in a charged televised debate that saw opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko accusing his opponent of stealing millions of votes in last month’s run-off, and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych urging whoever loses the court-ordered rerun to accept defeat.

The two squared off yesterday just days ahead of the St Stephen's Day vote, lashing out at each other, but also shaking hands and exchanging grins when the 100-minute confrontation ended.

Yanukovych tried to be more conciliatory, urging Yushchenko to pledge not to contest the official results.

Yushchenko, wearing a tie and handkerchief in his orange campaign colour, charged Yanukovych with fraud in the November 21 vote that was later annulled by the Supreme Court.

“You’re a religious person, right? Thou shalt not steal … and then you stole three million votes,” Yushchenko said.

The electoral campaign has been marked by tension following massive street protests and revelations that Yushchenko was poisoned with dioxin in September.

Yushchenko was more aggressive during the encounter, pointing his finger at his rival and clenching his fists. At times, he slashed his hand through the air and expressed incredulity toward his opponent.

Yanukovych appeared more defensive, standing up straight and occasionally shifting his weight like a wrestler.

Dressed in a trademark blue tie, Yanukovych spoke in Russian instead of Ukrainian in his introductory remarks, appealing to his core support base in Ukraine’s Russian-speaking, industrial east. Yanukovych suggested a Yushchenko victory would endanger the country’s unity.

The bitter campaign has split the country, with the west and Ukraine’s cosmopolitan capital backing the Western-leaning reformist Yushchenko, while Yanukovych has received strong support from the Kremlin.

“We have to discuss how to unite Ukraine and not divide it,” said Yanukovych.

Debate rules allowed the two to question each other directly after their opening statements.

Yushchenko used his first question to quiz his opponent about what he described as Yanukovych’s economic policy mistakes.

Yanukovych defended his record, recalling a recent one-time increase in pensions, and promised he would increase benefits to retirees again. He later tried to focus on campaign financing, hinting that his rival received funding from abroad.

Yushchenko’s questions focused on economic matters, pensions, the budget and salaries, while Yanukovych emphasised voting and changes in election law.