UAIE President Anatoly Kinakh’s candidacy as Ukraine’s next premier was submitted to parliament on May 23. Most people’s deputies regarded an immediate vote as improper, and it was decided to do so today.
First Vice Speaker Viktor Medvedchuk is certain that in Verkhovna Rada no one will be “resolutely opposed” to the candidate, except, of course, the Left and Right fractions. “If the Right factions vote against, they will do so for purely ambitious reasons, just because the Yushchenko cabinet fell,” he says, adding that it would be best to collect enough ayes “without the Left factions.” This would make it possible for the parliament to continue actively cooperating with the cabinet, stabilize the majority, and continue with reforms, reports Interfax Ukraine. Oleksandr Volkov has also promised the Democratic Union’s support. Meanwhile, former candidate premier Serhiy Tyhypko diplomatically sees “no reason for Labor Ukraine not to support Anatoly Kinakh for premier.”
Despite such generally optimistic forecasts, the political situation in parliament remains unstable. Verkhovna Rada Presidential Representative Roman Bezsmertny says Kinakh should make up his mind on where to get the lacking fifty votes, on the Left or the Right. He believes that the UAIE President can come to terms with both. In addition, deals could be made with certain sections of the wings. This would allow more independence, especially of the Left, something any premier would find very instrumental, since, says Mr. Bezsmertny, “There aren’t many willing to pull the wagon of the executive power before the elections,” the more so that the cabinet team must be constantly prepared to steer a middle course, which something no contender in the election race will find useful.
Below lawmakers discuss Anatoly Kinakh’s chances.
COMMENTARY
Leonid KRAVCHUK, SDPU(o):
I have known Kinakh since he was with the People’s Rada in 1990; he took a democratic stand even then, and not only democratic but also patriotic. I appointed him presidential representative in Mykolayiv oblast. He proved a diligent and responsible worker. I know him as an even-tempered individual who has never tried to confront anybody, preferring to meet everyone halfway, careful to take into account others’ views and make conclusions. I am for Kinakh under the circumstances. Actually, I would like to live to see our premier step into parliament with his party after winning the elections. Then we won’t have to watch all those shows nobody needs, with the president and parliament taking turns submitting and rejecting candidacies, and when finally a candidate is approved the president or parliament might oust him; it’s a competition won by he who’s the quickest to pass an expression of no confidence in the premier. Our premier is not protected by the constitution. Now if he could come with the majority, we wouldn’t have to think up another premier afterward... The premier must be approved. We can’t go on with this saga. There are voices recalling Stalin in Verkhovna Rada and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the names of Mussolini and Hitler.
Hennady UDOVENKO, NRU:
Kinakh has a tremendous practical experience which he can put to good use as premier. He is no rookie: he has been active in Verkhovna Rada and is knowledgeable on many issues. I don’t see any negative traits in him. However, we aren’t likely to vote for him, because our convention proposed Yushchenko for president, and he did not agree. We will take part in consultations, but he might be supported by the Communists and this would be unpleasant for us. In general Anatoly Kinakh is a reformer; he could well continue what Yushchenko started, but it’s hard to say whether the Communists let him.
Petro DOROSHENKO, Solidarnist:
I would not want to dwell on what I find negative about Kinakh in order not to upset things. His strong point is being a good and experienced administrator. At the same time, he doesn’t have obvious enemies in parliament, meaning that he can work with a new majority. We suggested certain mechanisms to Mr. Kinakh that can make his work more effective and he responded positively.
Mykhailo BRODSKY, Yabluko:
Kinakh is an extremely powerful nomenklatura figure; he will know how to take and keep power in his hands. I think that the new government will show protectionism of the domestic industries, in the good sense of the word. We will get a constitutional majority in parliament and this is the best middle course we can steer today. His is a transient candidacy, we don’t have a more acceptable one anyway. We put forth our demand: the minimum wage must reach the living wage level during the year. If Kinakh agrees, our faction will vote for him.
