Viktor Yanukovych
Biography
In 1968 and 1970, Yanukovych (according to his spokesperson and court officials) was convicted and imprisoned for robbery and bodily injury, respectively. For now, Yanukovych is officially free of guilt, all his rights restored. As recently announced, he was acquitted post facto in 1978, but no appropriate judicial documents were yet published.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych is the only ever-convicted prime minister (and would-be president) in the world. It is important to note that Ukrainian laws do not prohibit previously-convicted persons from being elected or appointed state officials - after definite time has passed since conviction (it is called "conviction removal", see Criminal law for details).
In 1972, Yanukovych became an electrician in a local bus company and later finished tehnikum. In 1980, he graduated (by correspondence) from Donets'k Polytechnic Institute, where he was qualified as a mechanical engineer. Immediately after that, Yanukovych was appointed chief manager of a transportation company in Yenakiyeve (Donets'ka oblast') and admitted in CPSU party. This was a start for a quick management career in automotive transport of the region. In 1997, the political career of Yanukovych has began when he was appointed Head of State Administration (i.e. province government) of Donets'ka oblast'.
In 2001, he graduated from the Ukrainian Academy of Foreign Trade as a Master of International Law. Later, Yanukovych was granted the titles of Doctor of Sciences and Professor. But later publication of his handwritten documents revealed that he is making numerous spelling mistakes. In particular, Yanukovych was unable to write his title, position and wife's name properly.
There are a few conflicting and politicized explanations of such quick promotion of Victor Yanukovych. Advocates say that, apart from the prominent personal abilities, Yanukovych has been long patronized by Georgiy Beregovoy, a Soviet cosmonaut of Ukrainian background. Being a Soviet parliament member with constituency in Donbas, Beregovoy is said to be protecting an unjustly convicted youngster and promoting his further career.
The most common version states that Yanukovych has been connected to local organized crime ("bratva") since the late 1980s and became its lobbyist up to national-level politics. Indeed, he is closely linked to the so-called "Donets'ky" clan (a powerful business and political group) and its leader Rinat Akhmetov (Ukraine's richest tycoon). These businessmen are often regarded as "bratva" members, but there is no judicial proofs for such allegations. One should also note that the whole Ukrainian (and generally post-Soviet) business community, especially large entrepreneurs, are someway linked to organized crime. Hence, it would be unfair to state that one given businessman/corporation is either totally free from "bratva" influence or controlled by it.
Another explanation of Yanukovych's success is his alleged secret cooperation with KGB (which supposedly started during his imprisonment). Partisans of this version argue that he (as an ex-convict) couldn't enter the institute, travel to the West and later make a career unless being protected by some "shadow force" more powerful than a local MP. There are no documented proofs for such allegations, either.
Yanukovych is married and has two children. Hobbies include (at least included in youth) car racing and sports (boxing in particular).
Political portrait and 2004 Presidential Election
Officially, the cabinet of Viktor Yanukovych was proclaimed the first ever coalition government of the country, formed and backed by a majority in Verkhovna Rada (the parliament of Ukraine). But critics call it a propaganda myth, reminding the appointment of ministers is an exclusive right of the President (according to the constitution of Ukraine), so his opinion on the candidates was decisive (despite public speeches). The existence of that parliamentary majority (commonly perceived as pro-president, not pro-government) has been difficult and it finally broke apart in the summer of 2004. Despite that, Yanukovych's cabinet has not resigned.
Viktor Yanukovych is a representative of a regional political group closely linked to big business. His supporters are officially organized in "Regions Party" (Ukrainian: Партія Регіонів, Partiya Rehioniv) based mostly in Donbas. When he was the governor, he advocated increased local authority and the reform of national budget in favor of provinces. Donets'ka oblast', despite leading in Ukraine's economy, is suffering much from depression in the coal-mining industry. Due to regional political traditions, Yanukovych is very active in promoting paternalistic slogans regarding social care and public subsidies for crisis-affected companies to ensure employment. In recent months, his government announced the tremendous increase of social benefits, especially pensions for retired. Critics say that was a dangerous populist movement, while the government argues it has only found an appropriate strategy of budgetary receipts and expenditures based on continuing economic growth.
Another notable part of Yanukovych's political creed is advocating closer relations with Russia and special rights for the Russian language in Ukraine. Since south-eastern regions are predominantly Russian-speaking, this question is permanently raised and politicized despite the fact that Ukrainian (the official language) is promoted rather poorly across the country. At the beginning of his presidential campaign, Yanukovych tried to present himself as a leader of the whole nation. In particular, he started to use Ukrainian in public and demonstrated his loyalty to the western (Ukrainian-speaking and opposition-dominated) regions. As a prime minister, he also attempted to promote relations with EC based on greater equality and distinctness. Later the strategy was changed (for several reasons) and Yanukovych has begun to favor tighter integration with Russia, making Russian a second official language and criticizing the West. He has also begun confronting "Ukrainian nationalism" and criticizing western Ukrainian regions.
As a public politician, Yanukovych presents the image of a straightforward "tough guy", populist stick to simple effective decisions and discipline. In elected, he would be the first leader of indepedent Ukraine born in the city (the previous two presidents and his main rival Viktor Yushchenko come from the countryside).
In his campaign, Yanukovych is unofficially backed by President Leonid Kuchma (and the rest of authorities) and widely perceived as his "heir" (although Kuchma has never admitted or stated so). His main opponent and opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, is thought to favor the promotion of Ukrainian national culture and the development of closer relations with the West. The first round of voting on October 31 resulted in no candidate receiving a majority, so a second round will be held on 21 November 2004.
See also:
External link
- Viktor Yanukovych's official candidate page (http://www.ya2004.com.ua/)
de:AskFactMaster.Com Janukowytsch pl:AskFactMaster.Com Janukowycz uk:Янукович Віктор Федорович