The Party of Regions monopolises power in Ukraine. OSW Commentary No. 40, 2010-09-29

Since the Party of Regions took power in Ukraine, the process of strengthening the executive branch of government at the expense of the others, together with the instrumental use of the law, has been progressing steadily. By seeking to restrict criticism of the government, the ruling party is aiming at marginalisation of opposition groups and establishing informal control over the main media (largely by exerting pressure on their owners). The role of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is growing, as it is used increasingly frequently to put pressure on Western-oriented NGOs. The government’s control over the judiciary is expanding. These trends had existed before the Party of Regions’ ascension to power, but they were much weaker, as the previous governments did not enjoy such a strong position or the ability to achieve their ends so efficiently. The Party of Regions is planning to take another step towards total power during the local elections scheduled for October 2010. The party is determined to establish control over the local self-governments; to this end, it has amended the legislation in a way which now undermines local civil initiatives. These changes not only illustrate the interests and political standpoint of the ruling elite; they also result from systemic reasons, and these are deeply rooted in the Soviet past. The present Ukrainian state has evolved through the evolutionary transformation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. As a result, the main features of the previous system have been sustained, including the weakness of the representative bodies and the instrumental use of the law. Twenty years into its independent development, Ukraine has developed a merely formal democracy, which is distant from EU standards.

An appropriated state? Moldova’s uncertain prospects for modernisation. OSW COMMENTARY 168, 22.04.2015,

From the Introduction. There have been several significant changes on Moldova’s domestic political scene in the wake of the November 2014 parliamentary elections there. Negotiations lasted nearly two months and resulted in the formation of a minority coalition composed of two groupings: the Liberal-Democratic Party (PLDM) and the Democratic Party (PDM). New coalition received unofficial support from the Communist Party (PCRM), which had previously been considered an opposition party. Contrary to their initial announcements, PDLM and PDM did not admit the Liberal Party led by Mihai Ghimpu to power. Moreover, they blocked the nomination for prime minister of the incumbent, Iurie Leancă. Leancă has been perceived by many as an honest politician and a guarantor of reforms. This situation resulted in the political model present in Moldova since 2009 being preserved. In this model the state’s institutions are subordinated to two main oligarch politicians: Vlad Filat (the leader of PLDM) and Vlad Plahotniuc (a billionaire who de facto controls PDM).

A captured state? Moldova’s uncertain prospects for modernisation. OSW Commentary No. 168, 22 April 2015

There have been several significant changes on Moldova’s domestic political scene in the wake of the November 2014 parliamentary elections there. Negotiations lasted nearly two months and resulted in the formation of a minority coalition composed of two groupings: the Liberal-Democratic Party (PLDM) and the Democratic Party (PDM). New coalition received unofficial support from the Communist Party (PCRM), which had previously been considered an opposition party. Contrary to their initial announcements, PDLM and PDM did not admit the Liberal Party led by Mihai Ghimpu to power. Moreover, they blocked the nomination for prime minister of the incumbent, Iurie Leancă. Leancă has been perceived by many as an honest politician and a guarantor of reforms. This situation resulted in the political model present in Moldova since 2009 being preserved. In this model the state’s institutions are subordinated to two main oligarch politicians: Vlad Filat (the leader of PLDM) and Vlad Plahotniuc (a billionaire who de facto controls PDM).

19 questions and answers about Communist Party suppressed by the Detroit news /

Title from cover.

Proceedings of the Democratic state convention : held in Columbus, Ohio, on the seventh and eighth days of January, 1842 ; including an address to the people of Ohio.

Mode of access: Internet.

Proceedings of the Democratic state convention : held in Columbus on the eighth of January, 1836 ; with an Address to the people of Ohio.

Mode of access: Internet.

The educational policy of the Unionist Party; an address given to the United Club on November 13, 1901.

Mode of access: Internet.

Address of welcome of Governor H.S. Pingree delivered at Michigan club banquet, Detroit, Michigan, February 22, 1899. "The duty of the Republican party in the present hour."

Mode of access: Internet.

Proceedings of the Republican State Convention at the Academy of Music, Indianapolis. June 17, 1874. Sketches of the nominees, etc., etc.

From the Indianapolis Daily Journal, June 18.

Republican party year book.

"Printed by authority of State of Illinois."

Republican Party officials /

Mode of access: Internet.

Report of the committee appointed by the General Assembly of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations to investigate the charges in circulation against freemasonry and masons in said state microform : together with the official documents and testimony relating to the subject.

Sabin

State convention : proceedings and address of the Republican Young Men of the State of New York : assembled at Utica, on the 12th day of August, 1828.

Mode of access: Internet.

State of New York; republican legislative address and resolutions. 1836.

"Albany Argus extra."

Address of the great state convention of friends of the administration, assembled at the capitol in Concord, June 12, 1828, with the speech of Mr. Bartlett in reply to the charges which have been made against Mr. Adams.

National Republican Ticket, including electors for New Hampshire, on verso of title page.