Economics
Soccer Hero Drains Votes as Ukraine Tactics Risk EU Wrath
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Soccer star Andriy Shevchenko’s political debut is buoying President Viktor Yanukovych’s bid to retain control of parliament in elections Ukraine says will reinvigorate strained ties with the European Union.
Shevchenko, 36, a former AC Milan striker, is running in the Oct. 28 vote for Ukraine Forward, which aims to pass parliament’s 5 percent entry barrier. That’s hurting opposition united under jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and improving the prospects of Yanukovych’s Party of Regions.