Rukh in modern Ukrainian history
Rukh was founded in 1989 as a popular civic movement. Soon afterwards, in 1993, Rukh was transformed into an influential political party with a considerable base of popular support. The party’s self perceived goal was to act as an instrument of the people in the drive for national independence and the rebirth of a Ukrainian national identity, while also calling for the immediate dismantling of all vestiges of the Soviet totalitarian system.
Rukh played a vital role in securing Ukrainian independence in the campaign leading up to the national referendum, held on December 1, 1991. Accordingly, over 90% of the people chose freedom, democracy and the rule of law. In the presidential elections, held on the same day as referendum, Vyacheslav Chornovil, Rukh’s candidate, took over 24% of the popular vote.
Following the referendum, Rukh was the first leading Ukrainian political force to elaborate “A Concept of State Building”. This program mapped out the initial steps to be taken to secure the fundamental principles of democracy and open civil society in Ukraine. Rukh also adopted a “Concept Paper on National Security” which provided the components of future policy in such areas as the energy sector, informational security, finance and the state budget.
Following the 1994 parliamentary elections, Rukh’s faction in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) was the second largest. With a sense of urgency, Rukh’s MPs focused their activity on instituting new legislation that would lay the groundwork for the state institutions and the structures of civil society. Specifically, on Rukh’s initiative critical legislation was introduced with a view towards stimulating agrarian reform, the creation of a market economy and the development of small and mid-sized business.
In 1998 parliamentary elections, Rukh secured 46 seats in the Rada, while boasting the second-best result in the popular vote. Soon, on March 25, 1999, Vyacheslav Chornovil, the political and ideological leader of Rukh, as well as one of the most outstanding Ukrainian statesmen, was killed in an automobile accident under dubious circumstances. Rukh helm was taken over by Hennadiy Udovenko, an MP and a prominent Ukrainian diplomat, who served as Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs (1994-1998) as well as the President of the 52nd Session of UN General Assembly.
In the 2002 parliamentary elections Rukh was instrumental in the creation of a new political bloc – “Our Ukraine” that was headed by Viktor Yushchenko.
In May 2003 the 13th Congress of the People’s Movement of Ukraine elected Borys Tarasyuk as its new Chairman.
Now Rukh is a party of fixed membership with over 63 thousands party members. People’s Movement of Ukraine has regional party organizations in all regions of Ukraine (27). Party has 6 members of National Parliament and 5231 deputies of local self-governments throughout the country.
Since 2006 Rukh was invited to be an observer of European People’s Party family.
Currently Rukh is one of the founders and partner of political block “Our Ukraine – People’s Self-Defence”.
