KIEV, February 25 (RIA Novosti) – The campaign for early presidential elections nominally kicked off Tuesday in Ukraine as the incoming government continues in its effort to restore calm to the troubled political and economic scene.
The decision to hold a presidential poll on May 25, ahead of the previously anticipated vote in early 2015, was taken Saturday by parliament, which on the same day voted to impeach President Viktor Yanukovych.
Although the campaign period has formally opened, only Vitali Klitschko – one of the prominent leaders of the opposition movement that spearheaded Yanukovych’s ouster – has so far confirmed his intention to run for presidency.
Other politicians who have been linked with a possible run include the leader of the Batkivshchyna party, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who has previously rejected an offer to become prime minister in a coalition government, and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Tymoshenko was released from jail by parliamentary decree on Saturday and later in the day addressed a crowd gathered on Kiev’s Independence Square, but the tepid reception she received there has led political observers to suggest her presidential fortunes may not be favorable.
Tymoshenko, who came to international prominence as the heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, was jailed in 2011 over alleged irregularities in a gas deal with Russia in 2009 that she sealed while serving as prime minister. Her supporters have always argued the charges were politically motivated, although many Ukrainians remain wary of her aggressive political style and are suspicious of her substantial personal wealth.
On Monday, lawmakers authorized the allocation of 1.96 billion hryvna ($218 million) for the election campaign.
Updates with Klitschko confirming his presidential run
