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Crisis and EU foreign policy / Policy Brief

Ukrainian democracy on hold?

09/06/2010 By Balázs Jarábik, Natalia Shapovalova

In his first 100 days in office, Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych has set up an effective government. Yanukovych rapidly assumed control over Parliament and the Executive and has started carrying out his electoral promises. European integration remains Ukraine’s key priority, while the President is also building closer ties with Russia. In the domestic arena, an ambitious economic reform plan intends to modernise the country and bring it to the EU.

However, it is still unclear whether the promised reforms can be accomplished. So far, old rent-seeking patterns prevail, while political competition and civic freedoms have been tightened for the sake of political stability.

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Keywords

Democracy Eastern Partnership (EaP) European Neighbourhood Policy Ukraine

Bio author: Balázs Jarábik

Belarus. Ukraine. Russia. Caucasus. Central Asia. Eurasia. Commonwealth of Independent States.Democracy promotion.

Bio author: Natalia Shapovalova

Ukraine. Eastern Partnership. EU enlargement. Russia. Caucasus.