What did Ukraine's new Electoral Code signal in July 2019?
A look back at the Verkhovna Rada's adoption of an Electoral Code days before 16 July 2019, and at a separate international development of the same week.
What was on the political agenda as of 16 July 2019? In Ukraine, the main development of the preceding days was legislative: on 11 July 2019 the Verkhovna Rada adopted a new Electoral Code.
The adoption of a single code on elections was a notable act for the parliament, since it concerned the rules under which Ukrainians choose their representatives. Beyond the fact of its adoption on 11 July, the details of the code's provisions are not part of this account, and it would be wrong to read into the vote any consequences that were not yet apparent by 16 July 2019.
A parallel development abroad
On 12 July 2019, outside Ukraine, Turkey received its first shipment of the S-400 missile system from Russia. The delivery went ahead despite calls from the United States and NATO to cancel the deal.
The two events were unrelated in subject. Together they show the range of political developments in the days leading up to 16 July 2019: a domestic legislative decision in Kyiv on electoral rules, and a regional security dispute involving Russia, Turkey and Western allies.
