Party of Regions, Strong Ukraine parties discuss merger

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and Deputy Prime Minister Sergiy Tigipko, respectively the heads of the Party of Regions and Strong Ukraine, said at a joint conference yesterday that the two political parties were discussing a merger. The pair said the move would help carry out reforms in Ukraine. Brad Wells: Yesterday’s announcement is the first indication of consolidation among major Ukrainian political parties, which are notorious for being predominantly personality-driven. Tigipko, who took up a position in the administration last year, has already de facto been working with Regions on major issues, including IMF cooperation and this year’s tax reform.