Ukrainian presidential election, 2004

The presidential election held in November and December 2004 in Ukraine was mostly a political battle between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and former Prime Minister and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. The election was held in a highly charged atmosphere, with allegations of media bias, intimidation and even a poisoning of Yushchenko that was later confirmed to be the result of the poison dioxin.

Candidates

The two major contenders were Viktor Yanukovych and Viktor Yushchenko. Yanukovych, Ukrainian prime minister since 2002, was supported by the out-going President Leonid Kuchma, as well as the Russian Federation and its president, Vladimir Putin.

Related Topics:
Viktor Yanukovych - Viktor Yushchenko - 2002 - Leonid Kuchma - Russian Federation - Vladimir Putin

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Yushchenko on the other hand, was considered more pro-Western, and enjoyed the support of the European Union and the United States.

Related Topics:
European Union - United States

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In total, there were 26 candidates to the presidency, with other candidates receiving much fewer votes than the two leaders.

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