Yushchenko ready to run for parliamentary elections under united opposition's list

Third Ukrainian President (2005-2010) Viktor Yushchenko has said that he will not run for the upcoming elections to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, in a majority constituency, but is ready to run for election on the election list of the united opposition. "I have decided that I cannot run for the elections in a constituency, as this is a weak position. It would imply that I was taking care of myself, [that I had] found a constituency that would vote for me, and that I was not interested in the destiny of my political force. I looked at this issue in another way. My own, and other political forces, will be consolidated and run under a single political platform. I will be present in the place and in the function necessary for the political movement. Either this will be the first number, or the one hundredth and first, or none – I will accept any decision," he said in an interview with the weekly.ua publication.

When asked whether he would run in the next presidential election, Yuschenko said: "This is not an interesting question, I don't want to answer it. I'm young and I have been at all main posts in this country. If there is a chance to use this name for Ukraine, I promise that I will use it."

Asked about the possible political career of his son, Andriy, the third president said: "No, he should not repeat my mistake. I should say that politics was my active choice. For many years I did everything possible to avoid politics. Even when I was friends with Viacheslav Maksymovych Chornovil and I rendered financial assistance to the People's Movement (Rukh), I did not see myself in politics."

Yuschenko said he was now focused on creating the Institute of President Viktor Yuschenko within ten to fifteen years. He said he was forming the institute and searching for partners.