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13 Apr, 2007 21:35

Ukrainians tired of politics

Ukrainians tired of politics

The second week of rallies is underway in Ukraine. The political crisiscontinues, caused by President Viktor Yushchenko’s decree dissolving Parliament. People, as well as news channels, seem to have had enough of the political turmoil.

People go hand-in-hand with their parties, expecting a break-through any moment. And although there is a feeling of general fatigue, politicians are urging their supporters to stay on. Kiev’s bracing itself for another weekend of political turmoil, in which people are expected to play the front part yet again.
 
Popular music and sunshine have had a reverse effect on the people. Staying in the streets of Kiev, some are asleep, others pass the time with a crossword. But they still say they will not leave until the President revokes his orders and keeps the Rada intact.

Houses, facing Independence Square in Kiev, remain empty for the second week in a row, as their residents moved out to escape the on-going political rallies, and there are no signs they are coming back soon.

The main news channels in Ukraine have also had enough of the political deadlock.

Ukrainian ICTV station said it had decided to boycott politics for a day. Their reporters said they had news about health, education and culture, but politics swallowed up most of the air time. In protest, ICTV channel political reporter Viktor Soroka, swapped the Parliament for an Arts Centre. In his opinion, the media is hyping up the political stand-off in Kiev.

“Not a single politician made a vital comment or suggestion since the President dissolved the Rada,” he said, “And day after day we are broadcasting their emotions, not solutions. So we thought, why should we give so much weight to their dirty games? We are not their mouthpiece. Ukrainians want to hear more about our culture, health”.

Deputy Taras Chornovil from the Party of Regions said he had been against the street protests from the start of the dispute. He believes compromise is possible without flags and concerts.

“I think we do not need big demos at Independence Square”, he pointed out, “People get carried away by their emotions, and there is no guarantee how they are going to react to this or another political talk. We think the President knows he has already lost in the legal battle. There are many ways of resolving the crisis peacefully, and we do not want to lose this opportunity if our supporters clash in the streets”.

All eyes are on the constitutional court now. After a break, reportedly caused by political pressure, judges will resume hearings to decide if the President dismissed the Parliament by law. Legal experts say it will be hard to rule in such circumstances.

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