Opposition fears Klyuev's appointment as PM, possible crackdown
KYIV. Feb 7 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian opposition has said that President Viktor Yanukovych is going to appoint his administration chief Andriy Klyuyev as Prime Minister and that a crackdown scenario is likely.
"We have learned that the Ukrainian president is currently considering, under pressure by certain forces from a neighboring state, the possibility of appointing presidential administration chief Andriy Klyuyev as Prime Minister," opposition deputies said in an open letter addressed to the ruling Party of Regions' faction leader Oleksandr Yefremov and other members of the faction.
Klyuyev's appointment as Prime Minister will lead to the radicalization of social sentiments and implementation of a crackdown scenario, Batkivshchyna parliamentarian Oleksandr Bryhynets said at a briefing.
For now Verkhovna Rada has neither a proposal to that effect, nor a majority of parliamentarians who would agree to vote for this candidature, he said. At the same time, there has been active lobbying of this candidate in and outside the parliament.
Opposition deputies have called on their Party of Regions' colleagues not to yield to the pressure and not to support Klyuyev's candidature.
"We are urging you (Party of Regions' faction members) to demonstrate your civil consciousness and make it clear to the group of 'hawks' surrounding the president that you will never support the course towards a crackdown of a popular protest and will not agree to form a dictatorship government instead of one of people's trust!" the letter said.
The open letter was signed by people's deputies Lesya Orobets, O. Bryhynets, Andriy Pavlovsky, Andriy Shevchenko and Lilia Hrynevich (all from the Batkyvshchyna faction).
