In addition, an expert group will be set up to propose how to complete presidential elections. The basis for this decision should be a ruling from the Supreme Court, where opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has filed a complaint, as he considers the election was rigged.
"There is a version in political circles that the authorities are considering a model when both leaders drop out of the race in favor of a single candidate put forward by the authorities and untarnished by scandal," says political expert Alexander Litvinenko. "One such potential candidate is former chairman of the National Bank Sergei Tigipko." However, it will hardly be possible to present him as an independent candidate distanced from the authorities, because he was Mr. Yanukovich's campaign manager. Mr. Litvinenko says that speaker Vladimir Litvinov, who is now gaining political authority, could be a more successful candidate, "The fact that Rada [parliament] under him remains the center of legality impresses the opposition and inspires trust in voters in eastern regions [that support Mr. Yanukovich]."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder also spoke in favor of new elections in Ukraine during a telephone conversation yesterday with Vladimir Putin. It is the only solution the political impasse, the German leader said.
