Tymoshenko outsmarts Yanukovych, political expert Pohrebynsky says

October20200820:58

Oct. 19 address to the nation by Premier Yulia Tymoshenko scored her a lot of political points as she demonstrated her readiness to meet her political opponents halfway and even sacrifice positions in her cabinet in order to resolve the country’s urgent problems. Those political parties which flouted Yulia Tymoshenko’s call to come to parliament at noon on Oct. 20 to create a mega coalition, shot themselves in the foot, Mykhailo Pohrebinsky, political expert and director of the Center for Political Research and Study of Conflicts, told ZIK in an exclusive interview Oct. 20.

According to the expert, as Ukrainian politicos work by preliminary shadow agreements, Tymoshenko could have hardly counted on their showing up at noon. Otherwise, it was a very smart politicking move on her part.

Mykhailo Pohrebinsky is convinced that Pres Yushchenko’s overpowering desire is to get rid of Tymoshenko at any cost. That is why the incumbent will not agree to any compromises if the premier keeps her job.

“As regards the Party of Regions, the latter is not ready for compromise talks by default. No backstage deals were offered as Tymoshenko is the only politician in Ukraine who by-passes politicians in her dealings with the people. Her counterparts cannot deal directly and openly with society, and that is why they are not ready for a compromise,” Pohrebinsky claims. “The PR could have accepted Tymoshenko offer and then banged the door on the compromise, saying the terms were unacceptable. However, the PR chose to spurn the invitation to talks. This gives Tymoshenko an ace as she will say that she has offered a compromise but no one accepted the invitation.”