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Ukraine's record presidential field and its Euro-Atlantic course
Summary
A look back at two developments in the days before 12 February 2019: a record number of registered candidates and a constitutional amendment on EU and NATO membership.
What was Ukraine's political landscape on 12 February 2019? Days before that date, two developments had set the tone for the country's presidential race.
On 8 February 2019, the Central Election Commission completed candidate registration for the presidential election. It registered 44 candidates, a record number for Ukraine.
One day earlier, on 7 February 2019, the Verkhovna Rada had adopted amendments to the Constitution. They enshrined the country's course towards full membership of the European Union and NATO.
Together, the two decisions framed the political backdrop on 12 February 2019: a very crowded field of contenders, and a constitutional commitment to the country's Euro-Atlantic direction that had been written into law only days earlier.
