MOSCOW, April 30 (RIA Novosti) – The leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said Wednesday he anticipates at least a 60 percent voter turnout in an upcoming referendum on the status of the Donbas region scheduled for May 11.
“As for the votes in favor of the Donetsk People's Republic’s sovereignty, the figures are more than promising,” Denis Pushilin said during a press conference in Moscow.
At the same time, the activist said he was certain that the Kiev authorities would not recognize the results of the upcoming vote.
Ukraine underwent a regime change in February when the country’s parliament, backed by far-right movements, voted to strip President Viktor Yanukovych of his powers, amended the constitution and scheduled early presidential elections for May 25.
A number of eastern and southern regions, as well as the Republic of Crimea, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the interim authorities and called for a referendum on the status of their regions within the country.
Pro-federalization rallies have not been abating in Ukraine’s eastern cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk since March. The protests have spread to a number of cities in the Donetsk region.
In early April, protesters in the city of Donetsk seized local government buildings and proclaimed the creation of the People’s Republic of Donetsk. They scheduled a referendum for the self-determination of the region for May 11.
