Tymoshenko parlays debate into 96 min monologue

Yulia Tymoshenko made her case for president for an uninterrupted 96 minutes yesterday evening, after her challenger Viktor Yanukovych failed to show up for the debate. According to election law, if one candidate chooses not to participate in the debate, which is required by law, then all the time is forfeited to the other. Brad Wells: Tymoshenko plied her time alternating between promises for Ukraine’s future and accusations against her opponent, who she labeled a “coward”. Yanukovych’s absence was largely expected, with his advisers making his intentions clear in the preceding days. He has preferred to run his campaign by shunning live events and direct confrontation with Tymoshenko.