Klitschko: Opposition expects more than government resignation from Ukraine's leadership

World January 29, 2014, 9:20

Klitschko reiterated that he did not intend to join a government under Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich

KIEV, January 29. /ITAR-TASS/. The opposition expects more than just resignation of government from Ukraine's leadership. This is why representatives of the opposition at the extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) will press for a full change-over of authorities and an early presidential election, Vitali Klitschko, leader of the party UDAR (Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms), stated on Tuesday.

When addressing participants in the protest meeting in Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Klitschko related that the talks with representatives of the authorities on an amnesty for all protest participants in the country had been proceeding with difficulty. The authorities, he pointed out, suggest an amnesty only after all office buildings, seized by protesters, are vacated.

"We do not agree to this," Klitschko said. "Therefore, the Verkhovna Rada will gather for the extraordinary session again on Wednesday. However, we realize that people wait much more than government’s resignation. This is why the main step will be to secure a full change-over of authorities and a presidential election".

He assured those present that the opposition would do everything to free all its supporters detained by militia.

Klitschko reiterated that he did not intend to join a government under Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich. "I do not consider any option of working in a Yanukovich-dominated government," he said.

At the January 25 meeting with the opposition leaders, President Yanukovich suggested the position of Vice-Premier for Humanitarian Affairs to Klitschko.

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