- Yushchenko's people are joining with the "Center" Party to form a reconstituted "Our Ukraine" Party. They've issued a declaration that states that they're a party which was born in Independence Square; a party of the common man; and that their strength will come from constant dialogue with the people. So far as I know, this will put the Our Ukraine faction at 114 seats even without factoring in allies.
Some have been worried because the Reform and Order party has made a move to steal the Our Ukraine name. My understanding is that R&O will also be joining this new party in the future, so it won't be a problem.
- A fun historical note: during Yanukovych's last court battle, his spokesman, Shufrych, accused Yushchenko of using hypnosis and "zombiefication" to create a "virtual revolutionary state." He's been hanging out with Ludmilla too much. . .
- Poor Shufrych was beaten by his own allies yesterday at the Yanukovych tents on Independence Square. He approached the tents and was hit in the head by an old man with a pole. Other people started throwing things at him. The militia eventually intervened.
- The Telegraph has some highlights from Yushchenko's speech. This struck me: "This was a victory of freedom over tyranny. A victory of law over lawlessness. We have a single aim - a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. . . Ukraine will not be a buffer zone or a testing ground for anyone else." Amen.
- Yushchenko flies today to Moscow to meet with Putin and the ever-hypocritical Patriarch Alexey II. As he demonstrated many times during the Revolution, Yushchenko is prudent. Hopefully this will both shore things up with Putin and demonstrate to the Easterners that he isn't a wild-eyed Russophobe.
- The Interior Ministry is reporting 300,000 people at the festivities today, with no breaches of the peace. Amazing.
- There's a good chance Yushchenko will announce his Prime Minister pick tomorrow. At present, Tymoshenko, Poroshenko, Zinchenko and Kinakh are all in the running. All seem to be decent options.
- Powell delivered an invitation to President Yushchenko (how nice it is to type this finally!) from President Bush, inviting him to visit the States.
- Yushchenko's people are wisely sending out emails to young professionals both here in Ukraine and to those living abroad. They're seeking out young, talented people as they staff the new government. For the record, this is another Yushchenko campaign promise kept.
Posted by Discoshaman at janvier 24, 2005 12:22 AM | TrackBack
What kind of services are needed, and how would one get in contact with them?
Posted by: Robert Mayer at janvier 24, 2005 07:48 AMThey wouldn't have room for an ex-college radio jock who loves music but doesn't know a lick of Ukrainian?
Posted by: Brian Greenwell at janvier 24, 2005 08:44 AMI doubt our chances are good Brian :) Though it would be the experience of a lifetime. I think there must be something unparalleled to the building of a democratic nation.
Posted by: Robert Mayer at janvier 29, 2005 09:21 AM