Oranges are not the only fruit

摘要

The good news is that nobody can predict the result of Ukraine's presidential election on January 17th, a sign of a healthy democracy. The incumbent, Viktor Yush-chenko, who swept to power in the "orange revolution" in 2004-05, is almost certain to be voted out. But a second round of voting is likely to be needed between Yulia Tymoshenko, the prime minister and former orange ally of Mr Yushchenko, and Viktor Yanukovich, a former prime minister who was the anti-Yushchenko loser then. In the fluid world of Ukrainian politics, allies become enemies and vice versa. Russia strongly backed Mr Yanukovich in 2004. This time, the Kremlin would settle for either frontrunner and has also promised no gas war this Christmas.