Yakunovich leads the presidential race, Ukrainians react

UKRAINE : IANOUKOVITCH PRESIDENT

Viktor Yanukovich has the lead in the Ukrainian presidential election. Elected a first time in 2004 following major electoral fraud, he was however eliminated by the Orange Revolution. This public demonstration was lead by the pro-Europeans in power and generated hope for the population. Five years later, the vote shows the Ukrainians disillusionment. A disillusionment which is clear to see on the web.

For a few months now, videos have been denouncing the disputes, at the actual heart of the Orange camp, which have paralyzed the country. This video caricatures the outgoing president Viktor Yushchenko and the Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko arguing about gas supplies coming from Russia.

The public’s disappointment in politics was demonstrated during the presidential campaign. This Internet site emerged several days before the first rounds of the election. Electors could sell their vote for around 60 dollars.

An attitude denounced by this feminist group, very active on the web, who took drastic action on Sunday. Braving the cold, four activists stripped off in the polling station to protest against the state of democracy in Ukraine. Their slogans: “Don’t sell your vote” and “Stop raping the country”.

Meanwhile, many have contested the election results. On Twitter, a thread called elect-sos has been created to denounce the irregularities of Sunday’s ballot.

CALIFORNIA : THE « DEMON SHEEP » CAMPAIGN

The strategy adopted by ex –chief executive office for Hewlett Packard, Carly Fiorina, in the California Senate election campaign, is to show her adversary as a demonic sheep. In this bizarre clip, broadcast online, she accuses her rival for the republican candidacy, Tom Campbell of wasting public funds and of being a conservative in name only.

But with a man disguised as a sheep which we see creeping around a meadow, it’s above all the form of the message which has sparked controversy. This blogger thinks it is the worst political campaign the United States has ever seen.

An opportunity for Chuck Devore to take a step up. This other Republican candidate has created this Internet site. In this video, he promises not to use stupid slogans, but to concentrate his arguments for November’s election for the senate on the problems California faces.

But the fact remains that Carly Fiorina’s clip is much discussed online. A Facebook group, a spoof account on Twitter and even T-shirts with it’s face on them, web users can’t get enough of the demon sheep.

And this is why this web user thinks the campaign is a stroke of genius. He believes the clip has succeeded in grabbing the attention of a generation of electors who are more interested in politics when presented in a fun way.

OBAMOURAGE

Here is Obamourage: A short episoded web series which pokes fun at American politics. It’s creator the French graphic designer Laurent Blachier, a specialist in making caricatures using collage, was called upon by the studios of Stun Creative. The episodes of Obamourage, a title inspired by the successful American series Entourage, are no longer than 3 minutes and include references from local popular culture. A humour which is sometimes risqué, seeing as in the first episode there is talk of a presidential colonoscopy.

SAVE DAVE

This video has been all over financial forums and has been watched over 3 million times on Youtube. Whilst a journalist was broadcasting live from an Australian bank, financier David Kiely was looking at photos of naked women on his computer. And he was fired for this. But dozens of web users have mobilised for the banker to keep his job. A campaign called “Save Dave” was launched by a London based financial web site. The bank has since announced that Dave can have his job back.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

This animated short film called “The Lady and the reaper” has been nominated for the Oscars which will take place on the 7th of March. Directed by the Spaniard Javier Recio and produced by Kandoor Moon studios, it tells the story of an old woman who has lost her husband, and dreams of being reunited with him. The film’s message is that everyone has the right to a dignified death.