Yanukovych opts for simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections

July02200921:10

“The sooner we have snap parliamentary elections, the sooner can we attain stability in the country,” Yanukovych told journalists July 2 in Luhansk. “But to hold a presidential and parliamentary elections separately will cost Ukraine twice as much, something we cannot afford at the time of the crisis,” he added.

Now, the final decision to hold snap elections is with the president and premier, Yanukovych explained. As for the PR, “we are ready for simultaneous elections,” he declared.

“The issue can be resolved by two persons, the president who has to agree to hold both elections simultaneously, and the premier who has the support of 156 lawmakers in Verkhovna Rada,” Regions’ leader went on.

According to Yanukovych, the decision to hold snap elections would be fair and honest on the part of the president and premier regarding the country and its people.

Meanwhile, a BYUT heavyweight, Mykola Tomenko, supported the Yanukovych proposal, saying the simultaneous elections in the fall can be a speedy way-out from the current economic crisis, UNIAN reports.

He noted that the idea of snap parliamentary elections has been used by the president only as a tool to blackmail the Verkhovna Rada.

Holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections will resolve the present political stand-off, Tomenko claimed, advising to have them in the fall. This will let us define our strategies, set priorities and pass the budget.

Tomenko emphasized that this scenario will need the approval by Pres Yushchenko and Premier Tymoshenko

• 03:3105.07.09 Yushchenko must resign first
• • The only way simultaneous elections can be held now is if Yushchenko resigns and the parliament agrees.
    Yushchenko has until July 17 before he loses the authority to dismiss Ukraine's parliament.
    Early parliamentary elections will not assist Party of Regions who maintain poll position to win both Presidential and Parliamentary positions.
    The main problem with simultaneous Elections is the two round Presidential voting system. Ukraine will need to consider the formation of a new parliamentary majority whilst the second round of election is being contested.
    It would be best of Ukraine adopted a single round preferential ballot system. one round of voting. Results of the election known within days as opposed to weeks. 100's of millions of dollars saved in the process.