The Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine did not satisfy a lawsuit by a member of the public, Dmytro Ilchenko, against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, in which the plaintiff demanded that the activity of the president be declared unlawful, as he has not fulfilled his pre-election campaign promises, according to a ruling of the court dated July 21, which the press service passed to Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.
In its statement, the court explained that under the legislation, the pre-election program of a presidential candidate is a means for campaigning. The pre-election program of the Ukrainian president is not a legal document. Pre-election campaigning can be carried out in any form and by any means that do not violate the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian legislation.
The ruling is final and cannot undergo appeals.
According to earlier reports, alawsuit on the "non-fulfilment of pre-election promises by the president" was filed against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych at the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine.
The court had to decide whether it is legal that no tax holidays for small businesses for five years have yet been introduced in Ukraine. Such a promise was given in Yanukovych’s election program in 2009-2010. In addition, the plaintiff demanded a reduction in VAT to 17% starting from January 1, 2011, as well as a cut in the income tax rate to 19% starting from January 1, 2011.
The lawsuit also reads that the president promised to establish a professional army on January 1, 2011.
The plaintiff demanded that the court oblige President Yanukovych to submit to the Verkhovna Rada bills on the introduction of tax holidays, a reduction in VAT, and on switching to contract military service within a month of the court’s ruling taking effect.
The plaintiff is an assistant to MP Yuriy Odarchenko (BYT-Batkivschyna faction), Dmytro Ilchenko.
The plaintiff did not attend the court hearing, although he was informed properly. He sent a telegram asking for the lawsuit to be considered without his participation.
