Ukraine is set for further twists in its endless political saga, as the country heads into a fourth significant election in six years. Voters will choose a president for the first time since the Orange Revolution of 2004, when protesters reversed a rigged election and propelled the pro-western Viktor Yushchenko to power over Viktor Yanukovich, a Moscow-backed candidate.

It is not clear whether the presidential vote will be held this autum or in January 2010. Ukraine’s constitutional court on May 13 cancelled a parliamentary resolution that would have cut Mr Yushchenko’s term short. It is also uncertain whether lawmakers will change Ukraine’s constitution before the vote, to shift more presidential powers to the legislature. Nevertheless, the campaign is well underway, and the stage is set for another cut-throat battle.