Changes to Constitution Imminent
“Under no circumstances will I run for the third presidential term,” President Kuchma declared on November 28, addressing a session of experts on domestic policy issues. “I am likely to have more than my fill during my second term,” he admitted, stressing that his major task is to step up social and economic reforms in Ukraine.
The head of state noted that the existing political system “is far from perfect and in need of sweeping changes.” In Kuchma’s view, Ukraine’s political system must be conditioned “to stimulate the restructuring of society, harmonize the relationships among the branches of power, and secure the transparency of state decision- making.” Prior to its approval, a draft of political system reform should be offered for public debate.
Speaking about the implementation of changes to the Constitution approved by Ukrainians in the March referendum, the president noted that such implementation rests on a new electoral system, which should comply with present-day political realities, stressing that political parties “are an inalienable feature of any state.” Given the 4% barrier for political parties to be represented in Verkhovna Rada is canceled, “in a month we shall have many more parties than at present.” Anticipating fears that the Communists might win if the representation ceiling is raised, President Kuchma said, “Let them win,” adding that Ukraine “definitely needs to pass all kinds of tests to reach greater mutual understanding in society.”
The implementation of the referendum results, Kuchma stressed, is not going to endanger the harmony in Ukrainian society. He confirmed that he “is determined to make the stipulated changes in the Constitution,” recalling that, in accordance with the Constitutional Court ruling, Verkhovna Rada has been made accountable for enacting the changes and lawmakers are to abide by this decision. “Should the referendum results not be made law, this would bring forth a whole series of issues, one of them being how to carry out the next elections,” he added. In line with the changes approved by referendum, only 300 People’s Deputies, in contrast to the current cohort of 450, are to be elected to Verkhovna Rada. If the lawmakers fail to enact appropriate changes to the Constitution, elections held under the old rules will be declared invalid, the President warned.
