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Poroshenko's party to merge with party of ex-boxer Klitschko into one political force

The political party, to be called UDAR-Solidarity, will be formally led by Klitschko
Vitaly Klitschko and  Petro Poroshenko ITAR-TASS/Nikolay Lazarenko
Vitaly Klitschko and Petro Poroshenko
© ITAR-TASS/Nikolay Lazarenko

KIEV, August 28. /TASS/. Ukraine's presidential party Solidarity and the UDAR party of ex-boxing champion turned mayor of Kiev Vitaly Klitschko are due to hold a meeting on Friday to announce the creation of a new political force.

The political party, to be called UDAR-Solidarity, will be formally led by Klitschko but 80% of its political council members will be of President Petro Poroshenko’s supporters.

Experts say Poroshenko will gain benefits from the merger of the Solidarity party with UDAR (the acronym that translates to "strike" or "punch") that will result in the creation of "obedient factions" in local councils.

The Kiev mayor will also get a chance to improve his rating and help the team of supporters to secure good results at the upcoming elections of Kiev council’s deputies on October 25.

One of the leaders of a public group, Movement for Reforms, Vadim Yakimets has criticized the Kiev mayor for corruption scandals, illegal construction and inability to take independent decisions.