Poroshenko opposes changing rules of parliamentary election before the date
KYIV. April 17 (Interfax) - Changing the rules of the Verkhovna Rada election half a year before it happens is risky, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.
"Today, when the election is approaching, it's risky for someone to try to change the election standards half a year before it happens. I should study the text of the law on the parliamentary election and its final version very closely, because I cannot allow it to show signs of separatism or federalism, so we will form the Khmelnitsky or Halytsky parties, the Donetsk party, the Odesa party with absolutely different interests," Poroshenko said during the discussion with members of non-governmental organizations in Kyiv on Wednesday.
According to the president, it is much more realistic to propose to the parliament that the law on open lists should start working at the next parliamentary election.
"If we want to achieve a result, we should seek a compromise. If we endeavor to press for that, it won't lead anywhere," Poroshenko said.
The Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction backed the first reading of the draft Electoral Code, he said.
On November 7, 2017, the Verkhovna Rada supported the first reading of bill No. 3112-1 on the draft Ukrainian Electoral Code elaborated by a group of deputies led by Parliamentary Speaker Andriy Parubiy.
The document would set out the system of regional open lists at the parliamentary election.
Additionally, the bill would set a 4% electoral threshold at the parliamentary election.
The next Verkhovna Rada election is due to be held in the fall of 2019.