Mykola Tomenko: A New Philosophy for Activity of Authorities is necessary: one should be concerned with the Future and Ukraine after Elections
Today, speaking at the morning plenary meeting of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, called on the politicians with a request "not to live for the moment, and think only about the day of elections, but to work for the future, for the post-election time".
Commenting upon the today´s message of the President of Ukraine to The Verkhovna Rada, M.Tomenko stated that if Viktor Yushchenko had delivered such an address in 2005, it would have been considered as interesting and convincing. However, in 2009 it is obvious that it is the last message of the acting President to the Parliament, and the reforms mentioned should be implemented by the next President of Ukraine.
In his speech, M.Tomenko stated that the issued mentioned by the President, such as: a bicameral parliament and administrative and territorial reform were not topical, especially under the recessionary conditions.
The Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on the People´s Deputies to uphold the Bills on increase of excise duty for alcohol and tobacco goods, as well as the Bills concerning protection of energy safety and support of agriculture.
M.Tomenko also dwelled upon the preferential pensions. "The political discussion should be ceased. If we are willing to protect the country, we should demonstrate that everybody has equal rights. Hence, on the one hand, preferential pensions should be eliminated, on the other hand all citizens should make payments to the Pension Fund", - he stated.
He reminded to the People´s Deputies that the government of Yulia Tymoshenko initiated elimination of preferential pensions as early as in 2005. Pursuant to the Bill submitted, the maximum pension shall not exceed 10 minimum pensions. However, the Constitutional Court recognized the said resolution as such that violates the Constitution.