Ukraine: Democratic Dangers

On January 17, Ukrainians go to the polls for the third time since President Viktor Yushchenko took office five years ago. The country has since evolved from a virtual democracy into an immature democracy. There is little danger that this process will unravel, but every danger that it will go no further. Add to this the political misuse of the H1N1 flu epidemic, a dire economic crisis and enigmatic deals with Russia; the election remains open and it is not clear what problems it will solve.