How have the sympathies of Ukrainian voters...
has made Yanukovych"s victory possible. Yushchenko"s call not to support any of the candidates may deprive Tymoshenko of several vitally important percentage points of the "democratic electorate."At the same time, Yanukovych will inevitably be supported by the electorate of Ukrainian Communist leader Petro Simonenko, who received 3.54% votes in the first round.
All contenders will also have to court the electorate of Ukrainian banker Serhiy Tyhypko, who received over 13% of votes on January 17.
Many analysts are now inclined to think that Tyhypko owns a veritable "golden share" and that the name of Ukraine"s fourth president depends on his choice.
Although Tymoshenko"s campaign headquarters tried hard to portray Tyhypko as an unviable candidate, it was her former supporters who now turned to him. This came as an unpleasant surprise for Tymoshenko.
Moreover, it appears that Tymoshenko and Tyhypko have conflicting business interests.