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99.9% of the votes are in and at first glance it appears that the pro-Russia party won easily. But look past the headlines and you’ll find that the pro-west parties won with a margin of 4% (more then 1 million votes).

Primary Colors.
Blue is the color of the sky “Party of Regions”. Known for it’s very clear pro-Russian stance this party, as expected, recieved most of it’s votes from the parts of Ukraine closest to Russia. With 32% of the national vote it is the winning party.

Orange is the color of an orange the “Our Ukraine Bloc”. As you’ve probably guessed this is the famous well, orange party. Support for this party has waned to only 14% of the national vote. I believe this is due to impatience. After the Orange Revolution everyone wanted things to change immediately and were, I think, unrealistic.

Red is the color of an apple “Yulia Tymoshenko’s Bloc”. Coming in second with 22% of the vote this party is mostly made up of and supported by people disillusioned with the Our Ukraine Bloc. But who still believe in the ideals of the Orange Revolution.

What it all means.
Basically, though split into two parties, pro-west ideals won the election by over 1 million votes while the pro-Russia party came in a close second. (Oh yeah, I almost forgot: The socialists and communists got a whopping 9% of the vote, combined.) You can see a break-down of the three winning parties by region in the map below.

For more detailed informaion about the election you can do what I did and check out Wikipedia’s Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2006 page.

On Sunday the Parliamentary Elections will be held here in Ukraine. There are 45 parties running, some of which have nominated over 400 candidates. Recent polls show an almost even split between the pro-west and pro-Russia camps. I’ve never had much faith in polls though. (Remember polls in the U.S. showed Kerry easily winning the popular vote right up until the end. Bush won by over 3 million votes*) Still, I would like to ask again that you pray for wisdom, discernment and understanding for the Ukrainian people as they cast their votes.

If you’d like to know more about the election I highly recommend this Reuters article and for very detailed information:Wikipedia’s article on the 2006 Ukrainian Parliamentary Election.

The parliamentary and mayoral elections are coming up soon in Kiev and all the parties are out in force. I’ve talked to several Ukrainians about the billboards, fliers, posters, flags, booths etc. that cover the entire city and all of them said “It’s never been this crazy before.” And it is indeed crazy. Although there are countless parties and politicians there are only two basic groups… those who are pro-Russia and those who are pro-West. Please pray with us for fair, free elections and that good, God-fearing, pro-West men and women will be elected.

Here are a few pictures of the political ads covering Kiev these days:

Here is a small poster for the “Our Ukraine” party (aka the orange party)


I think this man is running for mayor.


“39” Is the number on the ballot for this party.


Yulia, the former Prime Minister, was a huge force behind the Orange Revolution …and doesn’t really look as good as the picture on the billboard.


This party has few billboards but a billion guys like these waving flags all over the place. Okay, maybe there are just a couple hundred but they’re distracting and rather annoying.


I love this picture. On the right you have a tent promoting the “Tak!” party and 4 feet to the left there’s an advertisement for the “No Tak” party.


Last of my pictures today is of what we’ve come to call the “Natural Women” party. Loosely translated the sign says: “Vote for us and/or we’ll drop the flowers!” Just kidding, it doesn’t really say that.

Tonight Dad, Steven and I were on the metro headed home when Dad spotted a young Ukrainian guy (I think it was a guy) standing by the door. His attire sparked a fun conversation:

Dad (joking): Check out that guy, he’s in the navy.
Me: That’s an ugly leather bomber jacket. No way it’s real.
Dad: No, really, Look at the patch… I think it says “navel”
Me: Yeah, it does! “U.S. Navel”
Dad (pointing): Looks like he’s an “Aviator” in the “Air Force” too.
Me: So he’s got an American belly-button and flies. That’s interesting.

The moral of the story: When you buy clothes with messages in a foreign language make sure you know what they say. (And don’t ride the metro after 11:00pm if you want to avoid freaks.)

“Fooooootball! Fooootball!” the children cried as they danced around us in a dimly lit hallway of Orphanage #21. I don’t know a whole lot of Russian yet but it didn’t take a linguistics pro to figure out that the kids wanted to play soccer and skip the singing lesson Steven and Taras were supposed to be having with them. A couple hours before I had decided to tag along with Steven and take a few pictures of he and Taras teaching the orphans. Had I known I would have to play soccer I might have re-considered, but there I was being led out the heavy front-door of the orphanage, past the scowling guard, to the “football” field.

Anyone who’s met me, knows I’m no athlete, unless typing counts. That’s why I try to avoid soccer, or most any sport for that matter. With cleats and a perfect field to play on, I stink. Now here I was bundled up and wearing big, heavy snow boots standing on a snow-covered field. There was no hope. Not even Gatorade could save me now. My unsuspecting teammates were doomed.

I didn’t have any more time to think about the slushy snow or my impractical boots though, because just then a little boy in a blue jacket kicked the ball and sent it soaring to our side of the field. It hit the ground and rolled toward me. My teammates yelled. I sighed and then kicked the ball. Wham! I was on my back in the wet snow. I had slipped, despite my boots, when I kicked the ball. “This certainly makes the game more interesting,” I thought as I picked myself up off the ground.

Countless snowball fights erupted during the game which lasted for almost two more exhausting hours. Often, I was the target. It was great. (Really!) In between the running, slipping, kicking, falling, chasing and throwing I was able to talk a little with the English speaking kids. They’re always curious about my family, interested in America and confused about why we’re not there making money. “Why you in Ukraine?” A girl asks. “Ukraine bad. America good.” She says, with a thumbs-down and a thumbs-up. Though her attitude saddens me I’m glad for the chance to explain that life is about more then making money, living in a certain place or having a fancy mobile phone. It’s about loving God and loving others.

Eventually they had their lesson… and they sing better then I do too.