Higher court refuses to allow Tymoshenko in election

Ukraine’s Higher Administrative Court upheld the Central Election Commission’s decision to refuse to register former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko as candidates in the October 28 parliamentary election. The decision cannot be appealed.

Brad Wells: The Ukrainian court system is thought to largely be toeing the government’s line at this point so a decision against these opposition candidates is hardly a surprise. However, the impact of barring them from running is still to be seen – many international observers and foreign governments have indicated that the participation specifically of opposition leaders Tymoshenko and Lutsenko were a prerequisite for the election to be considered truly free and fair. This sets up an unwelcoming international stage for the current Ukrainain government as it increases the likelihood of more threats of sanctions and visa bans to the US and EU this year, especially if there are other vote-related irregularities.