According to experts, Ukraine is facing a choice between maintaining its status quo while strengthening ties with Russia and making drastic changes according to Western reform models promised by Mr. Yushchenko. Analysts and observers notice high political activity on the part of the electorate on the eve of the Election Day, which has been accompanied by intense and dramatic struggle between major rivals.
Current elections are the fourth in Ukraine after the country has acquired an independent status. Leonid Kravchuk - major proponent of the creation of an independent state -- became the first Ukrainian President. He received 62% of the votes during the first round. The elections were held simultaneously with a referendum on the support of the Ukrainian Independence Act, prepared by the Ukrainian Parliament headed by Mr. Kravchuk at the time.
The major intrigue of the second elections in 1994 was the rivalry between two Leonids - "nationalist" Kravchuk and "strong administrator" with close ties to Russia, Kuchma. Kuchma won in the second round winning 52% of the votes.
Pyotr Simonenko was the main opponent of Mr. Kuchma during the 1999 election campaign. The president won in the second round with 56% of the votes, with communist Simonenko receiving only 22%.
