2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election

Background

Political crises and cancelled 2008 snap elections

Main article: 2008 Ukrainian political crisis

On 8 October 2008 Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko tried to dissolve the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) and called early parliamentary elections in Ukraine for the second time in as many years for 7 December 2008. The right of the President to dismiss the parliament was challenged in Ukraine's Constitutional Court. The President's decree has since lapsed as it was never put into action (the coalition supporting the second Tymoshenko Government was extended) and appeals to Ukraine's Constitutional Court were withdrawn. Nevertheless, a snap election was predicted by Ukrainian politicians during the 2010 presidential election and after the dismissal of the second Tymoshenko Government. One of the arguments against holding early elections were the costs. Early elections were (in October 2008) estimated to cost approximately ₴417 million (about EUR€60 million or US$80 million).

2012 election date set

On 1 February 2011 the Verkhovna Rada set the election date for 28 October 2012. Voting by MPs in the place of absent MPs of the Verkhovna Rada is prohibited by law. On 27 July 2012 the Central Election Commission of Ukraine announced that campaigning for the elections would commence on July 30.

Electoral system

In June 2011 the Venice Commission reviewed a proposed Draft Law on the election of Ukrainian parliamentary members. The proposal sought to re-instate a parallel voting system – used in the 1998 and 2002 elections – with the establishment of 225 local single-member districts elected (in one round) by a first-past-the-post electoral system (candidate with the highest vote total wins); and the remaining 225 parliamentary seats being elected nationwide on a proportional party-list system with a 5% support threshold; and excluding political blocs from all elections. The option "Vote against all" was also made defunct in the proposal (according to a November 2012 opinion poll by Research & Branding Group (otherwise) 17% of the voters would have voted "against everybody" during the elections). The opposition and Ukrainian analysts accused the Party of Regions of "rewriting the law so that the president could secure a majority in the next Verkhovna Rada." In October 2011 the Venice Commission recommended Ukraine should not return to a mixed election system. Nevertheless, on 17 November 2011 the Ukrainian Parliament approved an election law almost identical to the June 2011 proposed Draft Law. Candidates could be elected on party lists or through self-nomination. Since then several parties merged with other parties.

The possibility to be simultaneously be nominated on a nationwide party list and in a single mandate constituency also was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on 10 April 2012.

Voters could temporarily change their place of voting without changing their permanent voting address.

Registered parties

In contrast with the 2007 parliamentary elections, candidates in this election could be elected on party lists or through self-nomination. This electoral list was the result of negotiations within the opposition Dictatorship Resistance Committee.

Nationwide list

The Central Election Commission of Ukraine had registered 22 parties who would participate on the nationwide list. (it had received ballot number 1) but the other ballot numbers did not change. So the ballot numbers were:

1. No party
2. Socialist Party of Ukraine
3. Communist Party of Ukraine
4. Political Union "Native Fatherland"
5. Russian Bloc
6. Party of Nataliya Korolevska "Ukraine – Forward!"
7. All-Ukrainian Union "Community"
8. Ukrainian National Assembly
9. Liberal Party of Ukraine
10. New Politics
11. All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda"
12. Ukrainian Party "Green Planet"
13. Party of Pensioners of Ukraine
14. Our Ukraine (Our Ukraine, Ukrainian People's Party, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists)
15. Greens
16. Party of Greens of Ukraine
17. UDAR of Vitaliy Klychko
18. Ukraine of the Future
19. All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland" (All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland", People's Movement of Ukraine, People's Self-Defense, Front of Changes, For Ukraine!, Reforms and Order, Social-Christian Party, Civil Position)
20. Party of Regions
21. People's Labor Union of Ukraine
22. Radical Party of Oleh Lyashko

Campaign

Andriy Klyuyev was the chief campaign manager for the Party of Regions. The Party of Regions' campaign focused heavily on promoting its record as the ruling party, contrasting the "stability" of the (then current) Azarov Government with "chaos" during the Second Tymoshenko Government in 2007–10 (which it referred to as: "the chaos and ruins of 5 years of orange leadership",. It advocated a "balanced" approach to developing relations with Russia and the West, saying neither should be given priority over the other.

Fatherland tried to paint the election as a battle of good against evil and pledged to impeach President Viktor Yanukovych. The party stated it advocated "European values" and promised to reverse the Azarov Government policy of raising the status of the Russian language.

UDAR avoided sensitive and polarising subjects and focused instead on popular topics, such as more empowerment to ordinary Ukrainians and a ruthless campaign against corruption, the indifference of the authorities, the lack of local governance, inequality and poverty.

Svoboda softened their rhetoric in the campaign but nevertheless promised to shake up the country's political status quo.

One of the biggest spenders of the campaign was the party Ukraine – Forward!. One of their election billboards claimed that “an average wage of EUR€1,000 and a pension of €500” was realistic for Ukraine (the monthly average wage was €300 at the time).

Many candidates in single-seat constituencies tended to focus on local issues, often distancing themselves from party agendas.

Overall the election programs of the major parties bore many similarities; all pledged reforms to spur economic growth, higher wages, pensions and other benefits, better education and medical care.

Two weeks before the (28 October) election UDAR withdrew 26 of its candidates running in single-member constituencies in favour of Fatherland candidates and they withdrew 26 parliamentary candidates in favor of UDAR in an attempt to maximise votes for the opposition.

Costs

Political parties spent more than US$75 million on the election campaign in multi-member constituencies (according to the parties' official reports). The Party of Regions spent about US$27 million, Fatherland more than $13 million, UDAR more than $4 million, the Communist Party of Ukraine $9 million, Our Ukraine $8 million and Ukraine – Forward! $7.6 million.

Denys Kovrizhenko of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems – Ukraine stated the sum of money spend could be up to 10 times more than what parties report afterwards. Political scientist Artem Bidenko estimated other figures; he believed that the Party of Regions had spent around $850 million, Ukraine – Forward some $150 million, and the election campaigns of the rest of the political parties $350 million, while candidates in majority constituencies had spent some $900 million on the election campaign. About half of the single-constituency candidates submitted reports about their campaign spending.

In October 2008 Ukrainian experts estimated that a small political party who wants to win seats in parliament would spend up to US$30 million on the campaign and large political parties would spend up to $100 million. Political analyst Pavlo Bulhak stated then that a party's election budget will be spent on advertising on television, bribing voters, organizing rallies and party propaganda.

Opinion polls

Note that on 17 November 2011 the Ukrainian Parliament approved an election law under which 225 members of Parliament would be elected under party lists and 225 would be winners of constituencies. Simultaneously the option to vote "Against all" had been made defunct; furthermore candidates could be elected on party lists or through self-nomination.

Conduct

Fraud suspicions and accusations

From 2011 to 2013 with liaison to Serhiy Lyovochkin, Alan Friedman, Eckart Sager, who was a one time CNN producer, Rick Gates, Paul Manafort, and Manafort's senior aide Konstantin Kilimnik devised a strategy to discredit then Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko along with then United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who had been an outspoken critic of pro-Russia, pro-Kremlin, and pro-Putin supporters in Ukraine. Manafort's Global Endeavour Inc., a St. Vincent and Grenadines based consulting and lobbying company, his Lucicle Consultants Ltd., a Cyprus based consulting company, and three other of his companies were hired to provide support to then President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich and his Party of Regions. This strategy included: creating a fake think tank in Vienna, Austria, the Center for the Study of Former Soviet Socialist Republics (CXSSR), to support Yanukovich and his Party of Regions; using a social media blitz with Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, and altering the Google's search stack to disseminate articles and videos that undermine opponents of the Party of Regions and Yanukovich in Europe and the United States; rewriting Wikipedia articles to smear Yanukovich opponents especially Tymoshenko; and using Breitbart News, RedState, and an article in The Wall Street Journal to discredit the Obama State Department and Hillary Clinton herself.

Before election day candidates and analysts predicted that bribery to secure votes would be rampant. A March 2012 poll by Research & Branding Group showed that 66% of the respondents believed that the election would not be fair, 18% disagreed with that. In June 2012 the Committee of Voters of Ukraine declared that the use of government resources for partisan ends would not be decisive in the (then upcoming) elections.

Following the elections the parties Fatherland, UDAR and Svoboda filled in an appeal at the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CVK) with allegations of fraud in 13 simple-majority constituencies. Irregularities in the elections like cases of ballot stuffing, carousel voting, suspiciously high voter turnout and bribed voters have been reported.

According to Opora the most common violations of the electoral law during the election campaign in August were using government resources for partisan purposes and vote buying. According to Opora the Party of Regions committed the most violations of the electoral law. On 28 October 2012 Party of Regions itself claimed to have documented 607 violations of the election legislation by its opponents. According to Taras Kuzio Berkut riot police was used in attempts to destroy ballots.

On 1 November 2012 the Deputy Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CVK), Zhanna Usenko-Chorna, stated that the elections were heavily falsified. She indicated that several electoral districts clearly demonstrate a depravity of the single-constituency district elections in Ukraine and that as of 1 November CVK still had not received results from 14 electoral districts. According to her that was the main reason why CVK could not announce the complete results of the elections on the scheduled time, 31 October 2012.

In mid-February 2012 Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko deputy Roman Zabzalyuk alleged without providing evidence that "if the results on Election Day can't be sufficiently fixed" the Party of Regions had already made plans to bribe deputies to join the Party of Regions after their election into the Parliament; representatives of the Party of Regions denied allegations of bribery or plans to fix the election.

Kyiv and its region

A notably reported scandal took place at the electoral district 215 where initially a win was awarded to the acting chairman of the Kyiv city council Halyna Hereha. After the results were challenged it was decided to recount the votes with about 30 law enforcement personnel to keep public order. Later everything was resolved and cleared that indeed the votes between the two candidates Hereha (independent) and Andriy Illyenko ("Svoboda") were switched around. On 1 November 2012 Halyna Hereha officially complained about the elections, she stated that she did not intend to take it to court.

To another electoral district 211 in Kyiv was sent an ambulance as a deputy chairman of the district electoral commission had a nervous breakdown. The commission of the district for three days had a difficult time to count all the votes.

Another big scandal with involvement of the riot law enforcement unit of Berkut took place at the 95th electoral district (a Kyivan suburban city of Irpin). The electoral commission at the district was the slowest and the public involvement surely did not help to speed up the process, however a possible miscounting was prevented. Previously, a possible riot from a big "youth group of athletic posture" was suspected by witnesses.

Another scandal took place at the 223rd district where some fist fighting took place, which was eventually extinguished with the help of law enforcement. Oleh Tyahnybok told Ukrainska Pravda that "Svoboda" will be picketing "EpiCenter" supermarkets and apartments of the 223rd electoral district commission members. Because of the incident, Radio Liberty (Radio Svoboda) conducts a live broadcasting from the headquarters of the district. In protest the district electoral commission refuses to continue its work.

Southern Ukraine

At the 132nd district (Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast) peasants laid a siege around the building of the district electoral commission in the protest of post-electoral results. According to Batkivshchyna it had been defrauded a win in the district in favour of a candidate of Party of Regions.

International observers

On election day (28 October) there were 3,500 accredited foreign observers. that "certain aspects of the pre-election period constituted a step backwards compared with recent national elections" and that the election was marred by "the abuse of power and the excessive role of money".

Ten thousand foreign observers where expected to observe the elections. Some 100 long term observers from OSCE member states arrived in Ukraine starting from the middle of September 2012, followed by 600 short-term observers who will arrive a week before the elections to monitor the election process at voting stations.

Poland is to send observers to Ukraine to monitor the elections, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated on 8 February 2012. German Ambassador to Ukraine stated "Germany is planning to send a numerous group of official supervisors" on 13 March 2012.

The total number of registered observers on October 9, was 1053 persons. The largest mission of international observers from CIS-EMO was 197 people.

On 2 October 2012 CIS-EMO observers presented the Interim report of the CIS-EMO Election Monitoring Mission. The report, in particular, noted that "The majority of detected violations are connected not with a political struggle of party lists but with the struggle of single-seat candidates". An impression that “antidemocratic power” clash with “democratic opposition” imposed by European and world society has a very relative nature that, as a rule, doesn’t distinct the real situation. In nowadays Ukrainian “peripheral capitalism” model such classes as “power” and “opposition” are conventionality. When the “Power Elite” is unconsolidated and disconnected and there is an open internal war between leading financial-industrial groups and corporations of Ukraine to get leverage of real state authority, all existing political parties only play the role of institutionalized political framework of realization of oligarchs’ economic interests.

On 5 October 2012 the CIS-EMO report was presented at the annual meeting of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Shortly before the presentation of CIS-EMO interim report web-site of CIS-EMO had been subjected to a massive DDoS-attack. The report was published on the official website of the OSCE in English and Ukrainian and also in Russian.

The ENEMO (European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations) mission for the 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine began its work on 23 July 2012 with the arrival of four Core Team members. ENEMO is the first international election observation mission registered for the Parliamentary Elections 2012 by the Central Election Commission (CEC). 35 LTOs (long-term observers) arrived to Kyiv on 5 August 2012 and were deployed throughout Ukraine. Long-term observer teams cover one or two oblasts of Ukraine. On E-day, October 28, ENEMO deployed 43 STO (Short-term observer) teams throughout all oblasts of Ukraine.

Results

On 8 November the Central Election Commission of Ukraine completed and released all results of the nationwide party list the constituencies (the elections took place on 28 October). Meanwhile, the Central Election Commission refused to establish the election results for the first-past-post results in 5 constituencies. The Central Election Commission of Ukraine finalized the vote count on 12 November 2012 but simultaneously ordered - on recommendation of the Verkhovna Rada - repeat elections (on a yet unknown date) in five troubled single-mandate constituencies where it could not establish results. Because of occurrences in these five constituencies. Hence, on 12 November 2012 445 deputies had been elected of the 450 seats in parliament. On 8 February 2013 the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine deprived 2 more deputies of power. They were banned from parliament on 3 July 2013. On 5 September 2013 the Verkhovna Rada itself set the date of all 7 re-elections to 15 December 2013.

By electoral district

Next to the 87 political parties 1150 independent candidates took part in the 225 electoral districts.

Several lawmakers elected into the new parliament have family ties with other lawmakers or other family members in the executive branch of Ukrainian politics.

Foreign electoral district

Main article: Results of the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election in the foreign electoral district

Despite the turnout in the foreign electoral district being the lowest on record, Svoboda surprisingly received the most votes, with 24% of the popular vote, while the national winners, the Party of Regions, came second with 23% of the vote. UDAR and Batkivshchyna received 22% and 20% of the vote respectively, while Our Ukraine, following the national trend, saw its vote share reduced by 23 percentage points, falling from third to sixth place.

Turnout

The total voter turnout in the election was 57.99%; about average for parliamentary elections in Ukraine. On election day turnout had reached 22.43% by noon local time. The number of reported participating voters varied somewhere between 20.76 million and 20.78 million, while the number of invalid ballots accumulated to about 1.2 million (5.74%) for party list voting and voting at districts.

The lowest turnout was in Crimea (with 49.46%), the highest in Lviv Oblast (67.13%).

Reactions

Fatherland, UDAR and Svoboda stated 12 November they did not recognize the results and would challenge them in local and international courts. In a joint statement the three parties vowed to work towards the impeachment of President Viktor Yanukovych, the resignation of the Azarov Government and chief prosecutor Viktor Pshonka, and the release from jail of Yulia Tymoshenko "and other political prisoners".

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and President Yanukovych praised the elections.

Party leader Petro Symonenko of the Communist Party of Ukraine believed on 8 November that the new parliament could not work better than the present one, as "there will be a confrontation between the financial, political and clan groups who got seats in the new parliament." He also stated then that his party will not form any coalition with other groups in the new parliament.

Civil movement "Chesno" stated on 5 December 2012 that 331 out of the 450 deputies elected on 28 October fell short of its criteria for honesty; according to "Chesno"'s parameters, 114 of them violated the rights and freedoms of citizens, 30 earlier changed their political position while working in parliament or on local councils, 233 had been involved in corrupt practices, 185 had nontransparent incomes and expenses, 156 did not personally take part in voting in previous parliaments, and 101 had shirked work in parliament.

Party of Regions politician Sergei Tigipko stated in December 2012 "the parliamentary elections showed that politics in Ukraine is becoming more ideological".

International reactions

EU European Union – On 12 November 2012 the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule stated "We express our concern about the conduct of the post electoral process, which was marred by irregularities, delays in the vote count and lack of transparency in the electoral commissions".

US United States – United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in late October 2012 about the election: "We share the view of OSCE monitors that Sunday's election constituted a step backward for Ukrainian democracy". Vice President of the United States Joe Biden voiced concerns over the elections in a call with President Viktor Yanukovych on 13 November 2012 and end urged Ukraine to "end selective prosecutions".

EU European Parliament – A resolution adopted by the parliament on 13 December 2012 stated: "(We) expresses regret at the fact that, according to the OSCE, PACE, NATO Parliamentary Assembly and European Parliament observers, the election campaign, electoral process and post-electoral process failed to meet major international standards and constitute a step backwards compared with the national elections in 2010.

Poland Poland – According to President Bronislaw Komorowski the results of the elections showed "the success of pro-European spirit in the country".

Aftermath

Government formation

On 9 December President Viktor Yanukovych nominated Mykola Azarov for a new term as Prime Minister. This nomination was approved by parliament on 13 December 2012. 252 deputies of the 450 deputies supported the nomination; the whole factions of Party of Regions (210 deputies) and Communist Party (32 deputies) and ten independent deputies.

The second Azarov Government was appointed by Yanukovych on 24 December 2012.

Factions formed in parliament

According to the amendment to parliamentary regulations adopted in November 2012, the smallest faction of parliament can be formed out a party with the smallest number of deputies elected by a party list and a single constituency vote. That amendment to regulations can also be interpreted as "either or" meaning that the smallest faction can be formed either based on party list or a single constituency election. In that case the smaller parties' deputies that were elected to the parliament will be able to form factions of their own, making it more challenging to form a coalition in the Ukrainian parliament.

On 27 November 2012 Party of Regions parliamentary leader Oleksandr Yefremov claimed that 223 members of the Verkhovna Rada had already expressed their desire to work in his party's fraction; according to earlier press reports 38 of the 43 unaffiliated politicians elected into parliament would join the Party of Regions faction.

• Whenever there is a change in Council membership, please also change the following article: Members of the 7th Ukraine Supreme Council
• KEEP FACTIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER TO STAY CONSISTENT AND TO EMPHASIZE DIVISION BETWEEN HOUSES --

Removing deputies from parliament after 2012 election

Main article: 7th Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada#Major events

Since 8 February 2013 four parliamentarians have been deprived of their mandate by the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine.

Repeat elections in 5 constituencies

The Central Election Commission of Ukraine adopted a resolution on November 5 recognizing the impossibility of announcing election results in five single-seat constituencies (electoral districts 94, 132, 194, 197 and 223); it also recognized the need to hold repeat elections in these constituencies and asked parliament to take a decision on holding repeat elections in these constituencies. On November 6 the Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution that proposed repeat elections. On 8 November the Central Election Commission stated that the Verkhovna Rada should thus make a respective law for this and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine should determine the amount of funding for these elections.

On 29 December 2012, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine received a query from 54 Verkhovna Rada members concerning procedures for the five repeat elections. As of 21 March 2013 the Constitutional Court has not opened a case on this issue. The current Verkhovna Rada parliamentary majority refused to consider the scheduling of repeated elections in the five constituencies before the court issues its ruling on this issue.

On 5 September 2013 the Verkhovna Rada set the date of (all, see below) 7 re-elections to 15 December 2013.

Repeat elections in 2 more constituencies

In early February 2013 the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine ordered the Central Election Commission of Ukraine to hold new elections in 2 more districts after the court removed the deputy mandates of United Centre member Pavlo Baloha (at the time a member of the Party of Regions parliamentary faction) and independent Oleksandr Dombrovsky. The Administrative Court established that the results in single-member districts number 11 (Vinnytsia Oblast; Dombrovsky) and number 71 (Zakarpattia Oblast; Baloha) after the 2012 elections had been "unreliable".

On 5 September 2013 the Verkhovna Rada set the date of (all, see above) 7 re-elections to 15 December 2013.

By-election in constituency 224 (Sevastopol)

On 24 December 2012 President Viktor Yanukovych appointed Pavlo Lebedyev as Defense Minister. Lebedyev had been elected as a lawmaker in the single-seat constituency No. 224 (in Sevastopol) in the 2012 election (28 October 2012). On 22 March 2013 the Verkhovna Rada cancelled his parliamentary mandate. The by-election for the single-seat constituency No. 224 was held on 7 July 2013 and won by independent Vadim Novinsky with 53.41% with a turnout of 23.91%. Before the election Novinsky had stated he would join the Party of Regions if he won.

Repeat elections in constituency 133 (Odesa)

On 12 September 2013 the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine (under a lawsuit lodged by Yuriy Karmazin) ruled it impossible to reliably establish the results of 28 October 2012 elections in single-mandate constituency No. 133 (in Odesa), at the time Ihor Markov had been declared winner of that constituency.

Police officers had documented the use of pens with disappearing ink in at least 40 polling stations in constituency No. 133 on 28 October 2012.

Repeat elections in five constituencies of 15 December 2013

The Central Election Commission of Ukraine finalized the vote count on 12 November 2012 but simultaneously ordered – on recommendation of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) – repeat elections in five troubled single-mandate constituencies where it could not establish results. Because of occurrences in these five constituencies. On 5 September 2013 the Verkhovna Rada itself set the date of these 7 re-elections to 15 December 2013. Hence, before 15 December 2013 of the 450 seats in parliament 443 deputies have been elected. But eventually only repeat elections were held in 5 constituencies on 15 December 2013.

By-election in constituency 83 (West Ivano-Frankivsk)

In February 2014 Oleksandr Sych became Vice Prime Minister in the Yatsenyuk Government. Sych had been elected as a lawmaker in the single-seat constituency No. 83 (West Ivano-Frankivsk) in the 2012 election of 28 October 2012.

The by-election for the single-seat constituency No. 83 was held on 25 May 2014 and won by independent Olexandr Shevchenko with 37.6% with a turnout of 37.66%. The candidate of the party of Sych, Svoboda, came third with 14.9%.

Notes

References

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40. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/poll-17-of-ukrainians-would-vote-against-everybody-during-elections-316701.html Poll:17% of Ukrainians would vote 'against everybody' during elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (29 November 2012)
41. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/113338/ Opposition pushes for immediate meeting with Yanukovych], [[Kyiv Post]] (22 September 2011)
42. [http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/81418/ Venice Commission advises Ukraine against returning to mixed electoral system], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (4 October 2011)
43. {{in lang. uk [http://www.interfax.com.ua/ukr/main/85997/ ВР ухвалила закон про вибори народних депутатів] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-01-08 , [[Interfax Ukraine]] (17 November 2011))
44. This new law satisfied the major opposition parties [[All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland". Batkivschyna]] and [[Front for Change (Ukraine). Front for Change]]; but was condemned by the core party of [[Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc]], [[Our Ukraine (political party). Our Ukraine]].[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/117213/ Front for Change leader: New law to allow opposition win 2012 parliamentary elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (18 November 2011)
45. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/117215/ Tymoshenko's bloc faction satisfied with adopted election law], [[Kyiv Post]] (18 November 2011)
46. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/117230/ Our Ukraine condemns vote for law on parliamentary elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (18 November 2011)
47. {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2011/12/18/6846740/ "Наша Україна" й УНП почали об’єднання з Дніпропетровська], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (18 December 2011)
48. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/119779/ Tymoshenko, Lutsenko aware of their parties' unification], [[Kyiv Post]] (29 December 2011)
49. {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2011/12/3/6810284/ Одна з партій НУНС перейменувалася та змінила голову], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (3 December 2011)
50. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/125768/ Court bans simultaneous running for parliament in single-member districts and under party lists], [[Kyiv Post]] (10 April 2012)
    [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/121370/ CEC head suggests ban on running for Rada independently and on party lists simultaneously], [[Kyiv Post]] (28 January 2012)
51. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/123555/ Opposition to form single list to participate in parliamentary elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (2 March 2012)
    {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/04/7/6962306/ "ФРОНТ ЗМІН" ІДЕ В РАДУ З "БАТЬКІВЩИНОЮ"], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (7 April 2012)
    [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/125648/ Yatseniuk wants to meet with Tymoshenko to discuss reunion of opposition], [[Kyiv Post]] (7 April 2012)
52. {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/04/23/6963276/ Tymoshenko and Yatsenyuk united (''"Тимошенко та Яценюк об'єдналися"'')], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (23 April 2012)
53. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/civil-position-party-joins-ukraines-united-opposit.html Civil Position party joins Ukraine's united opposition], [[Kyiv Post]] (20 June 2012)
54. {{in lang. uk [http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/24396159.html Комітет опору диктатурі спробує поділити округи], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (21 November 2011)
55. {{in lang. uk [http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/24397857.html Комітет опору диктатурі зробив паузу], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (21 November 2011)
56. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/120987/ Ukrainian opposition parties agree to form single list for 2012 elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (23 January 2012)
57. On 15 October 2012 [[Ukrainian Platform "Sobor". Ukrainian Platform "Assembly"]] withdrew itself from the national list{{in lang. uk [http://gazeta.ua/articles/politics/_ukrajinska-platforma-sobor-znimaetsya-z-viboriv-na-korist-opozicijnih-sil/460744 Українська платформа "Собор" знімається з виборів на користь опозиційних сил], [[Krayina]] (13 October 2012)
    [http://tvi.ua/htos_zalezhavsya_na_pechi_a_htos_i_dosi_pich_kolupae___rozsliduvannya_tvi_pro_uzgodzhenih_kandidativ Хто і чому змушує кандидатів зніматись з виборів? – розслідування ТВі] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-19, [[TVi (channel)). TVi]] (15 October 2012)
58. {{in lang. link. (2012-10-29 , [[Central Election Commission of Ukraine]])
59. [http://www.zelenaplaneta.org.ua Українська Партія «Зелена Планета»]
60. "ПОЛИТИЧЕСКАЯ ПАРТИЯ "ЗЕЛЕНЫЕ" - ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЙ САЙТ".
61. Olszański, Tadeusz A.. (22 February 2012). "A reshuffle in the Ukrainian government as an element of preparations for the election". [[Centre for Eastern Studies.
62. [http://www.partyofregions.org.ua/en/program Draft Campaign Program of the Party of Regions], [[Party of Regions]] (2012)
    [http://www.wespeaknews.com/world/the-upcoming-parliamentary-elections-in-ukraine-summary-106098.html The upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine [Summary]] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-26 , [[WSN]] (23 October 2012))
63. Gorchinskaya, Katya. "Svoboda tames radicals to get into parliament". [[Kyiv Post]].
64. [http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/52030 A Royal Gift to the Government], [[The Ukrainian Week]] (5 June 2012)
65. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/korolevska-recruits-acting-sports-stars-for-campaign.html Korolevska recruits acting, sports stars for campaign], [[Kyiv Post]] (2 August 2012)
66. [https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/10/ukraine%E2%80%99s-parliamentary-elections?fb_ref=activity Footballers and other candidates], [[The Economist]] (8 October 2012)
67. [http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/main-opposition-forces-tandem-ah-news-515430 Opposition parties join forces ahead of Ukrainian election], [[EurActiv]] (16 October 2012)
68. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/parties-spend-over-hr-600-million-on-elections-according-to-report-316205.html Parties spend over Hr 600 million on elections, according to report], [[Kyiv Post]] (16 November 2012)
69. [[All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda"
70. According to [[OPORA]] “In general, candidates spend about three times more than they officially report to spend”.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/campaigns-file-dodgy-spending-declarations-317271.html Campaigns file dodgy spending declarations], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 December 2012)
71. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/candidates-spent-25-billion-on-election-campaign-says-expert-315462.html Candidates spent $2.5 billion on election campaign, says expert], [[Kyiv Post]] (2 November 2012)
72. (22 October 2008). "Experts Estimate Costs Of Party's Or Bloc's Campaign In Snap Rada Elections At USD 25-100 Million". Ukrainian News Agency.
73. Source: [http://www.cvk.gov.ua/vnd2007/w6p001e.html Central Election Commission of Ukraine] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-10-11)
74. [http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-318863.html Party of Regions remains leader of electoral sympathies in Ukraine – poll], [[UNIAN]] (2 June 2009)
75. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/63737/ Party Of Regions, Tymoshenko bloc, Strong Ukraine, Front for Change and Communist Party would get into parliament], [[Kyiv Post]] (12 April 2010)
76. "Electoral moods of the Ukrainian population: December 2010".
77. "Electoral moods of the Ukrainian population: September 2011".
78. "Electoral moods of the population of Ukraine: Deсember 2011".
79. "Electoral moods of the population of Ukraine: February 2012".
80. "Ratings of parties in elections to the Verkhovna Rada: March 2012".
81. "Ratings of parties in elections to the Verkhovna Rada: May 2012".
82. "Electoral support for parties at the start of the election campaign beginning in August 2012".
83. "PR Newswire UK: Ukraine's Party of Regions Continues to Lead - GfK Survey - KYIV, Ukraine, 5 October 2012 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.co.uk.
84. (2012-10-03). "Poll: Over 20% of voters ready to support Party of Regions| Ukrinform". Ukrinform.ua.
85. "Соціологічна група "Рейтинг"".
86. Harding, Luke. (5 April 2018). "Former Trump aide approved 'black ops' to help Ukraine president: Paul Manafort authorised secret media operation that sought to discredit key opponent of then Ukrainian president". [[The Guardian]].
87. (29 October 2017). "These 13 Wire Transfers Are A Focus Of The FBI Probe Into Paul Manafort: BuzzFeed News has learned of a series of wire transfers, made by companies linked to Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, that federal officials deemed suspicious. Many of the wires went from offshore companies controlled by Manafort to American businesses.". [[BuzzFeed]].
88. Moore, Jack. (29 October 2017). "Robert Mueller Probe: Manafort 'Suspicious' Wire Transfers Focus of FBI Trump-Russia Investigation". [[Newsweek]].
89. (31 October 2017). "Manafort's Deals With Russian Oligarch Hint at Financial Web". [[Bloomberg News]].
90. (14 September 2018). "Manafort Had a Deep Bag of Political Tricks for His Ukrainian Client". [[Bloomberg News]].
91. Gearan, Anne. (14 September 2018). "'Bada bing bada boom': Paul Manafort's attempt to smear a jailed Ukrainian politician". [[The Washington Post]].
92. Unger, Craig. (14 August 2018). "House of Trump, House of Putin: The Untold Story of Donald Trump and the Russian Mafia". [[Dutton Penguin.
93. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/parliamentary-elections-2012-is-ukraine-repeating-history-313608.html Parliamentary elections 2012: Is Ukraine repeating history?], [[Kyiv Post]] (27 September 2012)
94. {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/05/9/6964214/ Ще один "регіонал" роздає в Харкові подачки (Another "Regions" gives handouts in Kharkiv)], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (9 May 2012)
95. [http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/61138 Powers of Persuasion], [[The Ukrainian Week]] (28 September 2012)
96. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/125897/ Poll:Most Ukrainians do not believe in fair parliamentary election], [[Kyiv Post]] (12 April 2012)
97. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/russia-news/analysts-government-apparatus-not-to-help-it-win-in-single-member-districts/ Analysts: Government apparatus not to help it win in single-member districts], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (13 June 2012)
98. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/thirteen-districts-where-election-fraud-is-alleged-315821.html Thirteen districts where election fraud is alleged], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 November 2012)
99. [http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/64050 Stealing Ukraine: Vote by Vote], [[The Ukrainian Week]] (5 November 2012)
100. On 30 October 2012 the Committee of Voters of Ukraine stated that the elections saw a record number of cases of bribery of voters. They also insisted the elections had not brought the country closer to democratic standards. And that although there were no grounds to believe that the violations that were reported on polling day could affect the election results, the election results could seriously be affected by violations during the counting of votes.[http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/voters-committee-bribery-in-parliamentary-elections-breaks-record/ Voters Committee: Bribery in parliamentary elections breaks record], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (30 October 2012)
101. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/opora-use-of-government-apparatus-and-vote-buying-most-common-violations-during-election-campaign/ Opora: Use of government apparatus and vote buying most common violations during election campaign], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (4 September 2012)
102. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/regions-party-leads-rating-of-violators-of-electoral-process-says-opora-social-network/ Regions Party leads rating of violators of electoral process, says Opora social network], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (4 September 2012)
103. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/regions-party-records-over-600-violations-during-election-campaign/ Regions Party records over 600 violations during election campaign], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (28 October 2012)
104. [http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=40108 Berkut Riot Police Used to Falsify Ukrainian Parliamentary Elections], [[The Jamestown Foundation]] (14 November 2012)
105. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/11/1/6976435/ Заступник голови ЦВК про вибори: Найбрудніші в історії України (Deputy Chairwoman of the CVK about the elections: "The most dirty in the history of Ukraine")]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.11.1
106. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/11/1/6976437/ Debenko, I. "Війна за Київ (War for Kyiv)"]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.11.1
107. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/122637/ Warning: Fraudulent Oct. 28 Parliamentary Election Ahead], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 February 2012)
108. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/10/31/6976322/ Капітуляція Гереги, або "Епіцентр" подій (Capitulation of Hereha or the EpiCenter of actions)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.31
109. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976238/ В окрузі Гереги-Іллєнка перераховують голоси. Ключ архіву знайшовся (In district of Hereha-Illyenko are recounting votes. The key to archives was found.)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.12.30
110. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976242/ Іллєнку відібрали 111 голосів у Гереги. Главі ОВК погрожують? (Illyenko lost 111 votes to Hereha. Head of the district electoral commission was threatened?)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
111. {{YouTube. zr8moaGsIpI. Interview of Hereha to Channel 5
112. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/31/6976262/ В окрузі Терьохіна до ОВК викликали "швидку" (In district of Teryokhin to the district electoral commission an ambulance was sent)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
113. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976221/ В окружком Терьохіна підтягнулися "братки" і міліція. Роботу заблоковано (To the Teryokhin's district commission came goodfellas and law enforcement personnel. Work is blocked.)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
114. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/10/30/6976226/ 95 округ. Ударна хвиля по Мельнику (95th district. A shock wave at Melnyk)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
115. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/31/6976256/ "Батьківщина" заявляє, що ОВК в Ірпіні готуються штурмувати невідомі ("Fatherland" declares that the Irpin district electoral commission is getting ready to be stormed by unknown)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
116. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976253/ "Свобода" кулаками почала відбивати перемогу у Пилипишина ("Svoboda" with fists started to defend a victory from Pylypyshyn)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
117. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976251/ Тягнибок погрожує пікетувати членів окружкому (Tyahnybok threatens with picketing of the district commission members)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
118. [http://www.rferl.org/howtolisten/UK/ondemand.html Свобода сьогодні (Liberty today)] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-11-01 . [[Radio Liberty]]. 2012.11.1)
119. "Українська правда".
120. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/10/30/6976246/ Селяни взяли в облогу ОВК в Первомайську (Peasants laid a siege around the district electoral commission in Pervomaisk)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012.10.30
121. It complained of "a lack of a level playing field, caused primarily by the abuse of [[administrative resources]], lack of transparency of campaign and party financing, and lack of balanced media coverage". This contrasted sharply with the international observers' conclusions on Ukraine's [[2010 Ukrainian presidential election|February 2010 presidential election]], judged then to have been transparent, unbiased and an "impressive display" of democracy.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20120888 Ukraine election 'reversed democracy', OSCE says], [[BBC News]] (29 October 2012)
122. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/122056 Polish observers to come to parliamentary elections in Ukraine], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 February 2012)
123. [http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/124191/ Central Election Commission: Germany to send supervisors for elections in Ukraine], [[Kyiv Post]] (13 March 2012)
124. "РИА Новости-Украина: ЦИК зарегистрировал еще 81 международного наблюдателя за выборами".
125. "Центральна виборча комісія України - WWW відображення ІАС "Вибори народних депутатів України 2012"".
126. "Издательский дом Коммерсантъ".
127. "Interim report of the CIS-EMO Election Monitoring Mission".
128. Rbc.ua. "Доклад CIS-EMO: Выборы в Украине представляют не столкновение мировоззрений, а борьбу бизнес-элит".
129. [http://www.interfax.com.ua/rus/elections-2012/120009/ В преддверии оглашения доклада CIS-EMO по Украине сайт организации подвергся DDoS-атаке]
130. "Interim report of the CIS-EMO Election Monitoring Mission".
131. "Interim Report of the CIS-EMO Election Monitoring Mission - ОБСЕ".
132. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/with-all-party-lists-ballots-counted-regions-party-gets-30-batkivschyna-2554-udar-1396-communists-1318-svoboda-1044-315790.html With all party lists ballots counted, Regions Party gets 30%, Batkivschyna 25.54%, UDAR 13.96%, Communists 13.18%, Svoboda 10.44%], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 November 2012)
133. [http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/126638/ Okhendovsky:CEC could call repeat elections in five districts only after parliament passes law], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (8 November 2012)
134. [http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/people-first-the-latest-in-the-watch-on-ukrainian-democracy-5-312797.html People First: The latest in the watch on Ukrainian democracy], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (11 September 2012)
135. {{in lang. uk [https://archive.today/20130620211314/http://apk.rbc.ua/ukr/vyboru2012/party/p29/okrug Candidates], [[RBC Ukraine]]
136. [http://www.ifes.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Reports/2012/Ukraine_2012_Boundary_Delimitation_Eng.pdf 2012 Parliamentary Elections Boundary Delimitation Summary and Analysis] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-09-04 , [[International Foundation for Electoral Systems]] (May 2012))
137. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/family-ties-that-bind-parliament-316191.html Family ties that bind parliament], [[Kyiv Post]] (15 November 2012)
138. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/cec-turnout-in-ukraines-parliamentary-elections-5799-315149.html CEC:Turnout in Ukraine's parliamentary elections 57.99%], [[Kyiv Post]] (29 October 2012)
139. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20113616 Ukraine election:President Yanukovych party claims win], [[BBC News]] (29 October 2012)
140. [http://www.itar-tass.com/c32/557235.html Turnout at Ukraine parliamentary elections makes 22.43% by Sun noon], [[Itar-Tass]] (28 October 2012)
141. [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/11/10/6977236/ ЦВК ОГОЛОСИЛА РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ЗА ПАРТІЙНИМИ СПИСКАМИ (CVK announced the results by party lists)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 2012-11-10
142. [http://news.dt.ua/VYBORY-2012/kilkist_zipsovanih_byuleteniv_na_viborah_perevischila_milyon-112326.html Кількість зіпсованих бюлетенів на виборах перевищила мільйон (The number of invalid ballots at the elections exceeded a million)] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-12-01 . [[Mirror Weekly]]. 2012-11-19)
143. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-opposition-protests-election-results-316008.html Ukraine opposition protests election results], [[Kyiv Post]] (1 November 2012)
144. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-opposition-grudgingly-accepts-election-results-316003.html Ukraine's opposition grudgingly accepts election results], [[Kyiv Post]] (12 November 2012)
145. [http://www.euronews.com/2012/11/13/ukraine-s-united-opposition-threatens-to-impeach-president/ Ukraine's United Opposition threatens to impeach president] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-11-16 , [[Euronews]] (13 November 2012))
146. [http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/126533/ Ukrainian communists not to join other political forces in new parliament, says Symonenko] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-04-19 , [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (8 November 2012))
147. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/only-two-deputies-meet-criteria-of-honesty-of-chesno-movement-311172.html Chesno movement says 331 newly elected parliamentaries cheated earlier], [[Kyiv Post]] (5 December 2012)
148. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/tigipko-not-planning-to-work-in-azarov-government-318042.html Tigipko not planning to work in Azarov government], [[Kyiv Post]] (22 December 2012)
149. The also expected to see "swift and determined action" to bring [[electoral legislation of Ukraine
150. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20146702 Ukraine election:Yanukovych shrugs off OSCE criticism], [[BBC News]] (30 October 2012 )
151. [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/11/13/readout-vice-presidents-call-ukrainian-president-viktor-yanukovych Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych], [[whitehouse.gov]] (13 November 2012)
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152. Because all political parties that made it into parliament, but the [[Communist Party of Ukraine]], declared European integration of the country as one of their goals.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine-abroad/melodikanet-polish-president-believes-pro-european-choice-triumphs-in-ukrainian-elections-316294.html Melodika.net: Polish President believes pro-European choice triumphs in Ukrainian elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (18 November 2012)
153. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-leader-picks-prime-minister-azarov-for-new-term-in-post-317367.html Yanukovych picks Azarov for new term as prime minister (updated)], [[Kyiv Post]] (9 December 2012)
154. [https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-pm-idUSL5E8ND8QN20121213 Ukraine parliament approves Azarov as prime minister], [[Reuters]] (13 December 2012)
155. {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2012/12/13/6979650/ АЗАРОВ МАЙЖЕ СТАВ ЗНОВУ ПРЕМ'ЄРОМ ''Azarov ALMOST BECAME PRIME AGAIN''], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (13 December 2012)
156. [http://www.unian.info/news/543116-yanukovych-appoints-new-staff-of-cabinet-of-ministers-of-ukraine.html President of Ukraine has appointed new staff of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-12-11 , [[UNIAN]] (24 December 2012))
157. "Voting for the Verkhovna Rada regulations amendment".
158. "Офіційний портал Верховної Ради України".
159. [http://blogs.pravda.com.ua/authors/leschenko/50ae3e29a9cd7/ Політичний цирк: кнопкодави попалися на своїх звичках (Political circus: the "button-pushers" got caught on its habits)]. [[Ukrainska Pravda]].
160. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/yefremov-regions-party-faction-already-has-223-members-316850.html Yefremov: Regions Party faction already has 223 members], [[Kyiv Post]] (28 November 2012 2012)
     [https://archive.today/20130416103410/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/notatka/a-difficult-victory-party-regions A difficult victory for the Party of Regions], [[Centre for Eastern Studies]] (31 October 2012)
161. and Union's deputy joined the then newly created faction [[For Peace and Stability (parliamentary faction). For Peace and Stability]] on 2 July 2014.{{in lang
162. {{in lang
163. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/cec-party-of-regions-gets-185-seats-in-ukrainian-parliament-batkivschyna-101-315948.html CEC: Party of Regions gets 185 seats in Ukrainian parliament, Batkivschyna 101], [[Kyiv Post]] (12 November 2012)
164. {{in lang. uk [http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/site2/p_fractions Депутатські фракції і групи VII скликання ''Deputy fractions and Groups VII convocation''], Verkhovna Rada
165. [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/191768.html 28 MPs quit Party of Regions faction in Rada] Interfax Ukraine. 21 February 2014. Accessed 22 February 2014
166. [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/215171.html Turchynov dissolves Ukrainian Communist Party faction in parliament], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (24 July 2014)
167. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/higher-administrative-court-deprives-two-mps-of-deputy-seats-320186.html Higher Administrative Court deprives two MPs of deputy seats], [[Kyiv Post]] (9 February 2013)
     {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/02/8/6983167/ ВИЩИЙ СУД ПОЗБАВИВ МАНДАТІВ ДВОХ ДЕПУТАТІВ ''Superior Court denied MANDATES two deputies''], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (8 February 2013)
     [http://utr.tv/eng/news-from-www-ukrinform-ua/299821-court_terminates_deputy_authorities_of_party_of_regions_mp_verevsky_299821.html Court terminates deputy authorities of Party of Regions MP Verevsky]{{Dead link. (September 2019)
168. [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/press-conference/145621.html CIS-EMO mission says parliamentary elections in Ukraine legally incomplete], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (3 March 2013)
169. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/higher-administrative-court-deprives-two-mps-of-deputy-seats-320186.html Higher Administrative Court deprives two MPs of deputy seats], [[Kyiv Post]] (9 February 2013)
     {{in lang. uk [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/02/8/6983167/ ВИЩИЙ СУД ПОЗБАВИВ МАНДАТІВ ДВОХ ДЕПУТАТІВ ''Superior Court denied MANDATES two deputies''], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (8 February 2013)
     {{in lang. uk [https://day.kyiv.ua/news/271221-v-opozytsiyi-initsiyuyut-zvilnennya-suddiv-vasu В опозиції ініціюють звільнення суддів ВАСУ ''The opposition initiated dismissal Vasu''], [[Den (newspaper). Den]] (11 February 2013)
170. On 3 July 2013 Baloha's and Dombrovsky's mandates were officially cancelled.[https://archive.today/20130813172622/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/baloha_dombrovsky_no_longer_mps_305874 Baloha, Dombrovsky no longer MPs], [[Ukrinform]] (3 July 2013)
171. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/by-election-to-parliament-in-224th-majority-constituency-of-sevastopol-scheduled-for-july-7-says-cec-2/ By-election to parliament in 224th majority constituency of Sevastopol scheduled for July 7, says CEC], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (18 April 2013)
172. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/parliament-annuls-minister-lebedevs-parliamentary-mandate/ Parliament annuls minister Lebedev's parliamentary mandate], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (22 March 2013)
173. [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/novinsky-wins-by-election-to-rada-in-sevastopol-according-to-cec-2/ Novinsky wins by-election to Rada in Sevastopol, according to CEC], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (8 July 2013)
174. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/mondays-headlines-novinsky-wins-elections-in-sevastopol-nbu-reserves-dip-in-june-local-official-beaten-to-death-in-donbas-region-326647.html Monday's headlines: Novinsky wins elections in Sevastopol; NBU reserves dip in June; Local official beaten to death in Donbas region], [[Kyiv Post]] (8 July 2013)
175. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/former-deputy-says-pro-presidential-party-run-by-bullies-329405.html Former deputy says pro-presidential party run by bullies], [[Kyiv Post]] (16 September 2013)
176. The court overturned the Central Election Commission (CEC) decision of 23 November 2012 regarding Markov's registration as a [[People's Deputy of Ukraine]] and ordered the CEC to take measures to organize, prepare for and hold repeat elections in constituency No. 133.[http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/court-strips-mp-ihor-markov-of-his-mandate/ Court strips MP Ihor Markov of his mandate], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (12 September 2013)
177. [https://archive.today/20130419075052/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/126937/ Party of Regions gets 185 seats in Ukrainian parliament, Batkivschyna 101 - CEC], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (12 November 2012)
178. [http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/126352/ Repeat elections in troubled constituencies unlikely to be held before March 2013, says CEC deputy head], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (7 November 2012)
179. In February 2013 the [[Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine]] ordered to hold (additional) new elections in 2 more districts after [[#Repeat elections in 2 more constituencies. link. (2013-08-25, [[forUm]] (17 July 2013)
     [http://zik.ua/en/news/2013/07/18/419965 Regions want repeat parliamentary elections in 7 controversial constituencies on Dec. 22], [[Z i K]] (18 July 2013)
     [http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/mahera_special_law_and_funds_needed_to_hold_elections_in_troubled_districts_307004 Mahera: Special law and funds needed to hold elections in troubled districts] {{Webarchive). link. (2013-12-16, [[Ukrinform]] (26 July 2013))
180. [http://ukrainianweek.com/News/88712 Rada schedules reelection in troubled districts for December 15], [[The Ukrainian Week]] (5 September 2013)
181. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20031821 Q&A:Ukrainian parliamentary election], [[BBC News]] (23 October 2012)
182. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/constitutional-court-hasnt-opened-proceedings-concerning-repeat-rada-elections-in-five-constituencies-318754.html Constitutional Court hasn't opened proceedings concerning repeat Rada elections in five constituencies], [[Kyiv Post]] (12 January 2013)
     [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/opposition-does-not-want-repeat-elections-in-five-disputed-districts-319801.html Opposition does not want repeat elections in five disputed districts], [[Kyiv Post]] (4 February 2013)
     [http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/repeat-elections-to-rada-in-troubled-constituencies-may-be-held-on-august-25-says-relevant-committees-head/ Repeat elections to Rada in troubled constituencies may be held on August 25, says relevant committee's head], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (17 June 2013)
183. [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/181444.html Opposition to field single candidates at repeat parliamentary elections], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (12 December 2013)
     [http://www.unn.com.ua/en/news/1283480-opozitsiya-domovilasya-pro-vzayemnu-pidtrimku-yedinikh-kandidativ-sil-na-doviborakh-do-vr-15-grudnya The opposition agreed on candidates for additional elections to the Verkhovna Rada on December 15], unn.com.ua (12 December 2013)
184. {{in lang. uk [http://nbnews.com.ua/ru/kyiv-2013/region/ Results in single-member district 223, 94, 132, 194 and 197 in 2013 repeat election] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-07-02 , nbnews.com.ua)
185. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/cec-registers-pylypyshyn-and-datsenko-as-deputies-334813.html CEC registers Pylypyshyn and Datsenko as deputies], [[Kyiv Post]] (10 January 2014)
186. [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193035.html Maidan nominates Yatseniuk for prime minister], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (26 February 2014)
     [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193222.html Ukrainian parliament endorses new cabinet], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (27 February 2014)
187. [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/results-of-the-vote-count-continuously-updated-315153.html Results of the vote count], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (9 November 2012)
188. {{in lang. ru [http://nbnews.com.ua/ru/news/122782/ By-elections to the Parliament in 83 County won the Director of "Bukovel" Shevchenko] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-06-19 , nbnews.com.ua (29 May 2014))
189. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/who-governing-ukraine-olexander-turchynov Who exactly is governing Ukraine?] ''[[The Guardian]]'', Retrieved on 9 March 2014