Yulia Tymoshenko

Yulia does not like to discuss her early life, so there is little information about her childhood. She has an advanced education, with several degrees in economics.

After earning her first degree, Yulia and her husband Oleksandr opened a video rental store in 1988. The business was a success, and She eventually moved on to a career with several energy companies. It was here that she forged several relationships that led to her career in politics.

Yulia began her political career by winning a seat in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) in a landslide. Slowly, she moved up to bigger and better things including a post as vice-Premier Minister of the Ukrainian energy system and eventually Prime Minister under President Viktor Yushchenko. While working on the energy system, Yulia developed policies that angered officials of the corrupt government of Leonid Kuchma and she was dismissed from her duties.

This incident sparked Yulia into action and she began to work towards reform in the Ukrainian government. At times she has been quite aggressive in her approach, thereby causing resentment and ill-will. Yulia does not seem to care if she ruffles a few feathers along the way. Her primary goal is to have a democratic Ukraine whose government is free from favoritism and corruption.

Yulia has been a leader of several large protests, including the Orange Revolution in 2004. As head of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, she has recently forged alliances with the Our Ukraine-People’s Self Defense Bloc and the Ukrainian Socialist Party hoping to garner enough voter support in the upcoming election to defeat the powerful Party of Regions, lead by current Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

Party of Regions is in favor of immunity from prosecution for top government officials and in the past has been accused of unfair election practices (leading to the Orange Revolution).

Yulia is a tough lady, and continues to fight for what she believes in. At times she seems a little too aggressive in her actions, and I’m not sure that is good for Ukraine right now. I would like to see this alliance of Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, Our Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Socialist Party win the majority of seats in the election. Then we will really see what President Viktor Yushchenko can do. If he does a poor job, then a change will occur in the January 2010 presidential election.

As of now, Yulia is considered to be a prime contender to win the presidency in that election, and I would not be surprised if she wins. I need to see what happens in the next two years before I make a voting judgment (not that I can vote in Ukraine), but whether it be Yushchenko or Tymoshenko, I think the country will be better off with either of them than with Yanukovych, another candidate for president.

For more detailed information about Yulia’s early life, see my article Yulia Tymoshenko - Early Years.

For more detailed information about Yulia’s political career, see my article Yulia Tymoshenko - Politician.