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Tymoshenko's Supporters Rally In Kyiv
August 13, 2007 -- More than 1,000 people rallied in the center of Kyiv for a second straight day today to protest the refusal by authorities to register Ukraine's main opposition party for parliamentary elections scheduled for September 30.
The Central Election Commission has refused to register candidates from the Bloc Yuliya Tymoshenko, saying they had failed to submit exact addresses.
Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, says the decision is illegal and politically motivated and plans to appeal the decision in court.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko today asked election officials to work out a "technical" issue and allow the bloc to take part in the polls.
The top 10 candidates on the bloc's list are all former legislators.
Candidates from Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's party and from Yushchenko's Our Ukraine group were successful in registering with the commission.
Eight of the commission's 15 members represent the pro-Russian governing coalition led by Yanukovych, whose bid for the presidency was thwarted by the Orange Revolution that broke out after tainted elections in late 2004.
Tymoshenko was a leader of that bloodless revolution, along with Yushchenko.
She also served as prime minister in 2005 ahead of a high-profile dispute with Yushchenko.
The September polls are aimed at solving a bitter power struggle between Yushchenko and Yanukovych.
The dispute was sparked by Yushchenko's decision to dissolve parliament.
Yushchenko accused Yanukovych's parliamentary majority of trying to usurp power.
(AP, Reuters)
Copyright (c) 2007. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
