Yevhen Marchuk, leader of the United Social Democratic
fraction in Parliament, declared he was stepping down Thursday, making
his announcement from the Verkhovna Rada rostrum.
Coming from one of the serious contenders in the forthcoming presidential
race, this statement made many analysts rack their brains. It did not seem
to fit into the pattern of current Ukrainian politics (especially considering
his publicity potential as head of an influential parliamentary faction).
Mr. Marchuk declared: "Despite the fact that Parliament is still to approve
the presidential election bill, the election campaign has actually begun.
It is being carried out rather actively by the executive and a vivid demonstration
took place in Electoral District No. 221 in Kyiv. They have opened an underground
election headquarters, receiving instructions from the center (and this
is something future historians will have sort through, in terms of their
being constitutional or otherwise). Gradually, law enforcement agencies
are getting involved, also something to be considered in the course of
future historical research. In other words, we are all witness to presidential
operations being in full swing.
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