You're reading: European parliamentarians: Elections without Tymoshenko, Lutsenko are disgrace to Ukrainian government

European parliamentarian Charles Tannock believes parliamentary elections in Ukraine not involving opposition leaders Yulia Tymoshenko and former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko are a disgrace to the Ukrainian administration, Yulia Tymoshenko's official website has reported. 

Tannock made the statement commenting on the Ukrainian Central Elections Commission’s refusal to register Tymoshenko and Lutsenko as candidates to the parliament.

Tannock also said he intends to initiate a separate report by the European parliament on the “undemocratic climate” of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, a European parliamentarian and vice-president of the European People’s Party, added the Central Elections Commission’s refusal to register the opposition leaders as candidates to the parliament is in line with the Ukrainian administration’s policies.

“By denying Tymoshenko and Lutsenko registration the Central Elections Commission violated the Ukrainian Constitution. This text distinguishes between the right to be registered as a candidate and the right to take part in elections: it says that a conviction can be grounds for denial of the right to become a member of the parliament, but it specifies that a conviction cannot be grounds for denial of the right to be registered for parliamentary elections. The Central Elections Commission’s decision in this case confirms the intention of the Ukrainian administration and President Yanukovych to get rid of political opponents and opposition leaders,” the European parliamentarian said.

Saryusz-Wolski believes this decision will further complicate the relations between Ukraine and the European Union. “It’s hard to imagine that this decision will not further complicate the relations between Ukraine and the European Union. It will probably become even more difficult for the Ukrainian authorities to get easier dialogue, which, in turn, will reflect on ordinary citizens of Ukraine,” he said.