State Rep. Anne McGihon is in the Ukraine to serve as an elections observer in what could turn out to be highly contested parliamentary balloting. This is Part II of her reports from her trip.

Heading two of the major parties are former archrivals, President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. In 2004, when the two were vying for the presidency, Yushchenko was poisoned just before the election and nearly died but went on to win in a rematch against Yanukovich.

McGihon is among an international contingent of observers who will try to "make sure the elections are fair, that everyone can vote and that the outcome matches the ballots cast." Elections are scheduled for Sept. 30. McGihon is a Democrat who represents parts of Denver and Arapahoe counties.

What an incredible venture!

I am fascinated by Kyiv - walking around the City tonight with the full moon, it is a mixture of very old (12th century), Stalin-era big buildings that make statements, "soviet" 70s style and very new modern, though not particularly attractive or interesting modern. There is a statute of Lenin and one of Tolstoy. Street signs are in Ukrainian so its hard for foreigners to navigate.

And there is food everywhere. Late-night cafeterias, fancy restaurants, two McDonalds, but no Starbucks. (There are a couple of coffee chains to make up for that absence!) Every meal is multiple courses - breakfast is meat, cheese, eggs, pancakes, toast and more. Lunch is four courses and dinner is at least five courses! It is bad manners to leave food on the table.(It is also bad manners to leave an open bottle undrunk on the table.).

Meanwhile, on Ukrainian TV, there are television ads for the big 3 of the 21 parties running for election. And there are colorful debates among multiple parties - one of the debates tonight looked like a game show.

In addition to the ads on television, there is bought tv time, billboards and every manner of banners on and across streets for either political blocks or parties. One small party has hi-tech mobile backpacks comprised of a computer screen and speakers running the party's promo. These are carried around by teams of young men wandering downtown.

There is substantial evidence that the election is a great economic boon for the media. In addition to paid television ads, media is paid for stories by the campaigns - both negative and positive.
Some debates are staged and whole interview segments are bought and paid for by campaigns.

Money is everywhere in this election. More on that tomorrow.

annemcgihon's blog | login to post comments