Ukrainians voted for a president today in an election crucial to the country's relations with Russia and its place in Europe but marked by disenchantment with politics and anger over a deep economic crisis.
It is the first presidential election in the former Soviet republic of 46 million since the "Orange Revolution" mass street protests in 2004 broke the grip on power of a sleazy post-Soviet leadership and swept President Viktor Yushchenko into office.
However, the frontrunner in today's vote is opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich, once seen as a pro-Moscow stooge, whose rigged election sparked the 2004 protests. The 59-year-old is backed by wealthy industrialists in the densely-populated East and the Crimean peninsula, both Russian-speaking areas.
The last polls published at the start of the year showed that second in line was Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Neither is expected to win an outright victory on Sunday and a second round of voting is expected on February 7th. Mr Yushchenko has little chance of re-election, polls showed.
Both Ms Tymoshenko (49) and Mr Yanukovich (59) have recognised the cynicism many Ukrainians now have towards the political elite and portrayed the election as heralding long-term change.
Many voters are disillusioned with all political leaders after two parliamentary polls, four governments and bitter rowing amongst the political elite in the past five years. The country descended deep into recession and had to be propped up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Analysts say Ukraine, which depends on Russia for most of its energy needs, must navigate a prudent course in relations with its old Soviet master after bad blood between the two countries during the Yushchenko years.
The election victor will also have to revive a shattered economy and take control of collapsing state finances that have been propped up by a $16.4 billion IMF bailout programme.
Reuters