Ukraine’s political crisis needs a quick and democratic response and so early elections will be held by October, President Victor Yushchenko said on Friday in a speech to open an investment forum in Kyiv.
“An early election will be held, and I would like to assure you it will not be held in October,” he said, adding that the constitutional 60-day term would help avoid “other pressures and other destructive influences on the situation.”
Yushchenko said he knew there were certain legal collisions and that Ukraine had no experience of conducting snap elections, and so was ready for concessions.
“However, I want my political partners to share this political responsibility, not delaying their response for months. This is impossible. This is wrong,” he said, stressing that he was “aware of his responsibility” and sought to make “fundamental solutions closer by holding daily and hourly talks.”
Yushchenko expressed confidence Ukraine and its people would resolve the crisis worthily: “Ukraine will surprise Europe. It will surprise the world by demonstrating how wisely, tolerantly and nonviolently it can hold an early democratic election.”
The Ukrainian leader said the country should go through this challenge to have European prospects. “These are democratic lessons any country seeking supreme democracy should learn.”
