Volodymyr Lytvyn: Democratic Development is our Goal
On Monday, Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
met the representatives of the National Democratic Institute for
International Affairs (US) in Ukraine.
The participants of the meeting stated that the goal of their visit was to study the election process in Ukraine, assess the electoral environment and the risks likely to emerge during the campaign.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appreciated the work of the institute with a 20-year-long history. He stated that Ukraine appreciated assessment of democratic developments in Ukraine on part of this institution, as the National Democratic Institute "is above the proceedings, not involved in them." "Participating in the proceedings, we may become biased," he admitted. "We are always willing to cooperate with you on the issues regarding democratic development of Ukraine."
V.Lytvyn expressed his concept of the future Ukraine as the country on a democratic foundation and with supremacy of law. "Civil society institutions should develop in Ukraine," he stated.
The Head of the Parliament laid emphasis on the importance of fair elections. Although he did not support the amendments introduced to the law on the local elections, he agreed to them for the sake of reaching a compromise. He stated: "I would not like Ukraine to have such a democracy, when parties are bought for the funds of oligarchs."
Objecting to the proportional election system at the local level, V.Lytvyn expressed against the people failing to settle the territorial issues to be elected to the local authority bodies. "It is active people, public leaders, who should be elected," he declared.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that the post-election situation will be complex, "the winners trying to consolidate their victory, while the defeated craving for revenge." It is crucial that the laws be observed. V.Lytvyn informed the representatives of the non-governmental organization that he had invited international observers to the October elections.
The Head of the Parliament also focused on the reaching a compromise on the election system among the Ukrainian politicians. He believes that the Election Code should impose a ten-year ban on any amendments to the laws on elections.
V.Lytvyn also objects to the quota representation in the election commissions, the Central Election Commission included. "The Commissions should involve unbiased people, preferably activists," he stated.
Asked about the rights of the opposition in Ukraine, the Head of the Parliament responded: "Notwithstanding the new constitutional provisions, activity of the opposition should get legislative support." He underscored that "the headquarters of the opposition are located in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," adding that the opposition government and opposition political forces held its meetings at the Parliament.
V.Lytvyn supports "political competition without political war." "It is wrong that the opposition repudiates the Constitutional Court Resolution. Despite any dislikes, the resolutions of the Constitutional Court may not be debated due to supremacy of law," he declared.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine deems it
necessary to consolidate democratic standards in the country. He favours active involvement of non-governmental
organizations in the elections, and ensured the visitors in his support of any corresponding
initiatives.
For reference: The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that responds to the worldwide quest for popular civic participation, open and competitive political systems, and representative and accountable government.