You're reading: Lutsenko says he will not run for president in 2015

Former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko has said he wants to become a member of the European Parliament from Ukraine.

“I have two dreams. Firstly, I want to become a deputy of the European Parliament from Ukraine. Secondly, I want to be the player-manager, or perhaps just the manager of a young political team that will replace my generation in Ukrainian politics,” he said live on Channel 5.

According to the channel’s press service, Lutsenko also shared his plans on the creation of a youth public organization that will help the opposition in the elections and make its contribution to future Ukrainian politics.

“I don’t think about what post I should hold. I think about two things. Firstly, I want to really defeat the current gangster government. Secondly, I want to help active young people get into Ukrainian politics, and I’m now engaged in helping them form a new organization that will help the opposition in the elections and probably make its contribution to future Ukrainian politics,” he said.

In addition, Lutsenko reiterated that he would not run for president in 2015.

“I won’t run for the presidency, and not because the current law doesn’t allow that, but because I think that there should be a person in the Ukrainian opposition politics who has an objective right to friendly assistance, including friendly criticism, [and who is] publicly not trying to be either president, prime minister, minister, or even a deputy,” the politician said.

“I personally believe that the opposition should find a single or agreed candidate with a single program of change, with a single team of change, with a single leader of change,” Lutsenko said.