You're reading: Regions Party lures young members by giving them discount cards for purchases

Members of the youth organization “Young Regions,” a youth branch of President Viktor Yanukovych’s ruling Party of Regions, are being given exclusive discounts on purchases for various goods and services in Ukraine.

Those ages 14 to 35 are eligible.

The discount cards are good on purchases of clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, perfumes, leisure facilities, beauty salons and more.

In the long run, according to “Young Regions,” the discounts will extend to hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and cafes in all of the organization’s partner businesses.

The “Young Regions Discount Card,” presented at a press conference June 16, offers deals only for members of their organization.

The discounts range from 5 percent to 50 percent.

Andriy Pinchuk, head of the “Young Regions” organization and a lawmaker in the Regions’ Party faction, said 1,000 businesses have already joined their discount program and he expects the figure to reach 10,000 by the end of the year.

Party of Regions critics say the discounts amount to a bribe for joining the party. Pinchuk denies it.

“It is not true that we are using this discount card to attract new members into the Region’s Party,” Pinchuk said.

Party of Regions critics say the discounts amount to a bribe for joining the party. Pinchuk denies it.

“In order to have the card one does not need to be a [Regions’] party member, just a member of our youth organization.”

“Certainly, this is to popularize the [party] brand, but it is normal,” Pinchuk said.

This is not the first time Ukrainian politicians have tried to boost support with discounts.

In 2008, the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko’s candidate for mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Rivne set up a store selling inexpensive winter clothing.

The most expensive coat cost about $20, while the market price for the same coat would have been nearly $90.

The place became popular among locals very fast. On its opening day alone it sold 120 coats.

The politician, however, lost the election.

Kyiv Post staff writer Yuriy Onyshkiv can be reached at [email protected].