Ukraine Thread

[Crandar]

The comedian is rumoured to be a puppet of his former employer, Igor Kolomoisky. The elections were not that free though, as the communist candidate was banned.

[Gilrandir]

The comedian is rumoured to be a puppet of his former employer, Igor Kolomoisky.

This is not accurate. Kolomoisky is the current employer of the comedian since the latter has his shows and films aired on the TV channel belonging to Kolomoisky. Yet the comedian has a much more ramified entertainment business which is outside Kolomoisky's auspices.

The elections were not that free though, as the communist candidate was banned.

It is not accurate either. The candidate wasn't banned. Communist and nazi ideologies (and consequently parties) are banned in Ukraine. The candidate, though, could have run as an independent candidate, but he chose not to.

[Crandar]

So, the communist candidate was banned.

[Gilrandir]

So, the communist candidate was banned.

As a candidate representing the banned Communist party - yes. If he just ran as an individual claiming no support from the Communist party he could have taken his chance. But he wouldn't have scored much - I guess no more than 3-4%.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

So, the communist candidate was banned.

Many Western Countries have banned certain political parties. Given its history it doesn't seems overly despotic for Ukraine to ban the Communist Party.

[Crandar]

Well, the fact that many European countries choose authoritarian measures does not excuse Ukraine for oppressing the communists. After all, unlike Nazism, Communism neither treats a specific group of humans as inferior nor does it call for their extermination. The decision to ban the Communist Party reveals how much the Ukrainian establishment values democracy and the worrying infatuation of Ukrainian nationalism with genocidal historical figures and hysterical, fascist-inspired, anticommunism.

[Gilrandir]

Well, the fact that many European countries choose authoritarian measures does not excuse Ukraine for oppressing the communists.

What do you mean under "oppressing"? Communists were just told that their party doesn't exist any more (is illegal), but no one was detained, arrested, sentenced to any terms or persecuted in any other legal way. Moreover, the chief communist (Symonenko) still lives and freely travels all over the country and outside Ukraine. To his hard earned villa in Spain.

After all, unlike Nazism, Communism neither treats a specific group of humans as inferior nor does it call for their extermination. The decision to ban the Communist Party reveals how much the Ukrainian establishment values democracy and the worrying infatuation of Ukrainian nationalism with genocidal historical figures and hysterical, fascist-inspired, anticommunism.

You seem to be infatuated with communists as well to make such claims.

Soviet communists proclaimed proletariat and peasants superior social classes (which renders others inferior), called for and (what is still worse) pursued the policy of exterminating bourgeoisie as a social class, as well as rich farmers (called "kulaks") which was coupled with persecuting the clergy (and destroying temples). To say nothing of executing "agents of imperialistic countries" and "enemies of the state" within their own party. Chinese communists did no less gruesome things.

As for Ukraine (unlike the West) not valuing democracy - see above on PFH claims that many western contries banning some political parties and read (elsewehere) on the opinions of international observers as to the way the elections were held.

And fascist-inspired Ukrainians have taken into the secound round of the elections a comedian Jew who is likely to become a new president (with another Jew currently heading the government). Europe has much to worry about.

[Crandar]

They are deprived of their right to vote for a specific party, which in no way violates the penal code of the country. This is called oppression and the justification of it is indeed reminiscent of fascism. You will need to show me how the Communist Party of Ukraine supports all that nasty stuff you mentioned. Not that this is the reason for which it is banned, as the parliament and municipal authorities openly celebrate and protect the memory of genocidal maniacs, a hypocritical stance which leads to the conclusion that Kiev is not really worried about the heritage of war criminals.