President of Ukraine is ready to adopt a decision on simultaneous early parliamentary and presidential elections

On 3 April 2009, speaking to journalists President Victor Yushchenko stressed that he is ready to hold simultaneous early parliamentary and presidential election.

“I would like to announce officially that I am ready to approve the decision on holding early presidential election in this country. Because this decision depends on me now”, he said.

According to the President of Ukraine, in package with such a step the early election to the parliament should be haled but in accordance with the new proportional open lists system.

Besides that Victor Yushchenko stressed that he was ready to submit his draft law on alterations to electoral legislation to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine) next week.

As another condition for holding early parliamentary and presidential elections President Yushchenko named “political cleansing” before the voters. He explained that it meant adoption of alterations to the legislation, which would abolish deputies’ immunity. “I think that it would be a good demonstration that all those who are going to take part in the election want to do it openly and without fear of accountability before the law”, he said.

In addition, President Yushchenko said that for early elections to happen it is absolutely necessary to adopt the law on their financing.