This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29772078
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Snap elections for parliament | Ukraine crisis: Snap elections for parliament |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ukrainian voters are going to the polls in snap elections for a new parliament. | |
President Petro Poroshenko called the poll as he aims to cement a new direction for the country after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders earlier this year. | President Petro Poroshenko called the poll as he aims to cement a new direction for the country after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders earlier this year. |
But the vote will be overshadowed by a continuing conflict with pro-Russian rebels in the east. | But the vote will be overshadowed by a continuing conflict with pro-Russian rebels in the east. |
About 3m people in Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not vote. The separatists will hold their own polls next month. | About 3m people in Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not vote. The separatists will hold their own polls next month. |
Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, will not take part. | Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, will not take part. |
The vote also comes amid an energy crisis, with Russia cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine in June in a dispute over unpaid bills. | The vote also comes amid an energy crisis, with Russia cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine in June in a dispute over unpaid bills. |
Ukraine's economy is collapsing, with GDP forecast to fall between 7 and 10% this year. | Ukraine's economy is collapsing, with GDP forecast to fall between 7 and 10% this year. |
Ukraine's government hopes the elections will help stabilise the country, with pro-Russian parties considerably weakened by recent events. | Ukraine's government hopes the elections will help stabilise the country, with pro-Russian parties considerably weakened by recent events. |
Half of the 450 seats in parliament will be allocated proportionally according to a party list system, with parties needing to gain more than 5% to win seats. | Half of the 450 seats in parliament will be allocated proportionally according to a party list system, with parties needing to gain more than 5% to win seats. |
Another 198 MPs will be elected from individual constituencies, with 27 from Crimea and the rebel-held areas remaining vacant. | Another 198 MPs will be elected from individual constituencies, with 27 from Crimea and the rebel-held areas remaining vacant. |
The main parties vying for seats are: | The main parties vying for seats are: |
Most are nationalist and pro-Western, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions is not running. | Most are nationalist and pro-Western, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions is not running. |
However, three parties comprising his former allies are seeking votes in the south and east of the country. | However, three parties comprising his former allies are seeking votes in the south and east of the country. |
"At last we will elect a pro-Ukrainian and not pro-Moscow, an anti-corruption and not pro-bribery, a pro-European parliament," Mr Poroshenko said on Friday. | "At last we will elect a pro-Ukrainian and not pro-Moscow, an anti-corruption and not pro-bribery, a pro-European parliament," Mr Poroshenko said on Friday. |
Mr Yanukovych fled in February after a wave of pro-Western protests in Kiev triggered by his refusal to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union. | Mr Yanukovych fled in February after a wave of pro-Western protests in Kiev triggered by his refusal to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union. |
Anger in eastern Ukraine at his overthrow turned to unrest with separatists seizing government buildings and beginning an insurgency in April. | Anger in eastern Ukraine at his overthrow turned to unrest with separatists seizing government buildings and beginning an insurgency in April. |
At least 3,700 people have been killed since the conflict began, including 300 killed after a ceasefire was agreed on 5 September. | At least 3,700 people have been killed since the conflict began, including 300 killed after a ceasefire was agreed on 5 September. |
On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said for the first time that Moscow had helped Mr Yanukovych flee. | On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said for the first time that Moscow had helped Mr Yanukovych flee. |
Are you in Ukraine? Will the elections make a difference? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Ukraine? Will the elections make a difference? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |