Who Will the Speaker Back?

It is no secret that it has lately become fashionable to call the present Speaker an undercover candidate for the presidency called on to spike the plans of left-wing candidates (by attracting votes).

Many actions by the Speaker leave no doubt that he has such intentions: during his recent visit to Poltava, he formed his own Coordination Council from the chairmen of the local councils. Now he has almost everything what the President does. The latter has already started to worry after honorable mentions addressed to the new Parliament leaders he returned to his old tune. "The present situation in Parliament is reminiscent of the situation of the previous one - it was helpless by the end of its term," Kuchma said in Lviv (Interfax-Ukraine).

Tkachenko gave the following comments on the suspicion in his address: "And who is going to deal with Parliament?"

This latest statement by Chyzh should have put an end to various rumors: if Tkachenko promised to support Moroz, then how will he be able to cast his ballot? For Tkachenko himself such a thought is a bigger setup, as are declarations about his personal participation in the elections. Kuchma's attitude to Moroz is well known. This is why after torpedoing his new old supporter in the political arena, and commercial structures close to Tkachenko could encounter certain problems.

PS: Tkachenko refused to verify this information for The Day. According to him, Moroz did not turn for support to him, so no one could promise him support. However, Tkachenko confirmed that he has good relations with Moroz. Commenting on Chyzh's declaration, Moroz said, "I wouldn't want to talk about this now, because I am not running for President. I don't think this declaration could cause a rupture between Tkachenko and the President."