You're reading: If president, Yanukovych not planning to insist that his portraits hang at institutions

Regions Party leader Victor Yanukovych has said that if he is elected Ukraine's president, he will not insist that his portraits hang at state-run, educational and other institutions.

He told this to journalists in Chernivtsi region onJan. 19while commenting on his party colleague Anna Herman’s statement that icons of the Holy Virgin will definitely be displayed at schools if Yanukovych is elected the country’s president.

"People should always stick to the wishes of their souls and hearts," Yanukovych said.

He said that if he elected the president, government representatives would not oblige anybody to hang his portraits or other symbols portraying him.