AND FINALLY

To the Viktor the spoils: Spare a thought for yer people on the mean streets of the Ukraine.

Five years ago the so-called ‘Orange Revolution’ saw the masses out on the streets, refusing to accept the results of a bent election, which originally declared communist party ex-con Viktor Yanukovych as the winner. They inspirationally rose up as one and as a reward got a taste of liberal cosying up to America style democracy.

Unfortunately this was the usual recipe of massive ‘cheap’ debt, opening up to privatisation – and like Iceland, Greece and Ireland, the credit meltdown has hit them harder than most. Their economy shrank 15% last year. Naturally this hasn’t proved too popular and left voters choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea in the current presidential elections.

The first round eliminated ‘hero of the revolution’ Viktor Yushchenko leaving the aforementioned brute Yanukovych, squaring up to Yulia Tymoshenko - the lady (former economist and gas-fortune oligarch) made Prime Minister after the ‘revolution’ who has presided over the subsequent economic descent.

In January Victor was announced the victor, but the result was suspended this week after Yulia had challenged it in court producing 16 crates of evidence of election fraud.

Anecdotal evidence has emerged alleging everything from women braving the winter wind in topless protests, disappearing ink pens being discovered at a number of polling stations (clever!) and people taking a pile of ballot papers and chucking ‘em away.

Which ever way this hobson’s choice eventually plays out, independent election monitors have declared it a roaring success and an “impressive display” of democracy comparable to those in exemplary Western countries.