TIMELINE: Ukrainian politics since the 2004 Orange Revolution

(Reuters) - The campaign for Ukraine's first presidential election since the Orange Revolution will begin on Monday. Voters hope the January 17 poll will end five years of political squabbling and paralyzed decision-making in one of Europe's worst-performing economies.

Following is a chronology of political events since the mass protests brought pro-Western politicians to power in 2004.

YULIA TYMOSHENKO AS PRIME MINISTER:

Jan 23, 2005 - Viktor Yushchenko is sworn in as president after street protests in November and December against a rigged election won by then-Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. Tymoshenko is named prime minister within days.

Sept 8 - Yushchenko dismisses Tymoshenko's government after infighting. Yuri Yekhanurov, a presidential ally, replaces her.

March 26 - Yanukovich's Regions Party emerges as the largest party in a parliamentary election with 186 of 450 seats, but is outnumbered by the combined "orange" score of 243. Orange groups, however, fail to form a coalition after months of talks.

YANUKOVICH AS PRIME MINISTER:

July 18 - A coalition made up of the president's opponents proposes Yanukovich as prime minister. He is approved a month later after promising not to reverse pro-Western policies.

Jan 12, 2007 - Yanukovich supporters pass law to reduce Yushchenko's control of the government, a blow to his authority.

April 2 - Yushchenko dissolves parliament, calls election, leading to months of turmoil. New poll takes place in September.

Sept 30 - "Orange" parties win a majority of 227 seats -- one more than needed to win most votes in the 450-seat chamber.

TYMOSHENKO AS PM:

Dec 18 - Parliament approves Tymoshenko as prime minister with 226 votes, the minimum number required to take office.

July 11, 2008 - Tymoshenko survives a no-confidence vote called in protest of her handling of high inflation.

Aug 18 - President's office says Tymoshenko betrays national interests by not backing Georgia in its conflict with Russia.

Sept 3 - Our Ukraine, Yushchenko's allies, quit "Orange" coalition after denouncing joint vote by Tymoshenko's bloc and Yanukovich's party. The president threatens to call an election.

Nov 6 - The IMF approves a $16.4 billion loan program for Ukraine to ease strains from the global financial crisis. Days later it receives its first tranche worth $4.5 billion.

Nov 12 - Yushchenko abandons plans to hold an early parliamentary election in 2008.

COALITION REINSTATED:

Dec 9 - The governing coalition is reinstated and bolstered by newly elected assembly chairman, Volodymyr Lytvyn.

Jan 20, 2009 - Russian gas reaches Europe via Ukraine for the first time in two weeks after Moscow and Kiev end a prices and debt row that cut supplies to about 20 European countries. Yushchenko says the deal clinched by Tymoshenko is a "defeat."

Feb 12 - Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk quits in a budget row with the prime minister.

March 3 - Parliament sacks Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko, a Yushchenko ally, citing his aggresive stance against Russia and for buaggressiveterritorial dispute with Romania.

June 5 - Parliament dismisses another Yushchenko ally, Defense Minister Yuri Yekhanurov over allegations of corruption in the ministry.

June 23 - Parliament sets presidential election date for January 17.

Aug 14 - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accuses Yushchenko of pursuing anti-Russian policies and says normal relations will not be restored until a new leader is elected.

(Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit;) Additional writing by Sabina Zawadzki)