Ukraine presidential election 2009 Timelines: N-Ukraine, N-Ukraine-takeover

In 2009, Yanukovych announced his intent to run for President in the upcoming presidential election. He was endorsed by the Party of Regions and the Youth Party of Ukraine

Minister of Internal Affairs Yuriy Lutsenko accused Yanukovych of financial fraud during the campaign. Yanukovych’s campaign was expected to have cost $100 to $150 million.

On 11 December 2009, Yanukovych called for his supporters go to Maidan Nezalezhnosti Kyiv’s Independence Square in case of election fraud.

Early vote returns from the first round of the election held on 17 January showed Yanukovych in first place with 35.8% of the vote. He faced a 7 February 2010 runoff against Tymoshenko, who finished second (with 24.7% of the vote). After all ballots were counted, the Ukrainian Central Election Commission declared that Yanukovych won the runoff election with 48.95% of the vote compared with 45.47% for Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko withdrew her subsequent legal challenge of the result.

Ukraine’s parliament had (on 16 February) fixed 25 February 2010 for the inauguration of Yanukovych as president. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree endorsing a plan of events related to Yanukovych’s inauguration on 20 February 2010. Yushchenko also congratulated and wished Yanukovych “to defend Ukrainian interests and democratic traditions” at the presidential post.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus at Yanukovych’s invitation conducted a public prayer service at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra before Yanukovych’s presidential inauguration. Patriarch Kirill also attended the inauguration along with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, United States National Security Advisor James Jones and speaker of the Russian parliament Boris Gryzlov.

Yanukovych’s immediate predecessor, Yushchenko, did not attend the ceremony, nor did the Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, and her party, Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko.