Ukrainian President may call early elections.
Viktor Yanukovych says he is willing to call elections if no agreement is reached to overcome the political crisis; protests in Kyiv began two months ago after the government postponed the signing of an association agreement with the European Union, which was scheduled for the end of November last year; the parliamentary majority approved a set of laws to restrict the right to assembly and other civil liberties.
From Agência Brasil*
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is prepared to call early elections if no agreement is reached to overcome the political crisis, his parliamentary representative Yuri Miroshnichenko said. "If politicians are unable to reach an agreement, to strike a compromise and abide by it, then the only democratic way to resolve the situation is to hold early elections," Miroshnichenko told ICTV.
He said that the Ukrainian president's opinion was expressed at a meeting late last week with members of the ruling Party of Regions parliamentary group. The representative assured that Yanukovych added that he will call presidential elections.
Viktor Yanukovych warned that the authorities have all the means to forcibly clear public buildings occupied by protesters, including Independence Square. But, according to Miroshnichenko, the president does not want to resort to force because he argues that the protesters “are also Ukrainian citizens.”
The protests in Kyiv, the capital, began two months ago after the government postponed the signing of an association agreement with the European Union, which was scheduled for the end of November last year.
In response to growing demonstrations in favor of the association in central Kyiv, the parliamentary majority approved a set of laws to restrict the right to assembly and other civil liberties.
*With information from the Lusa news agency.