Holding parliamentary election later than December 14 is pointless - President

Speaking to journalists today, President Victor Yushchenko stressed that early parliamentary election should be held either on December 7, or on December 14, 2008.

The first case, according to President, would be possible if the Verkhovna Rada is able to introduce proper alterations to the 2008 budget on time to provide financing of the election. Than the Government, Central Election Commission and district commissions would be able to hold election on December 7.

In the second case, if Parliament’s work is delayed and holding the election on December 7 due to lack of appropriate financing is impossible, the election would be postponed till December 14.

Answering the question if there is a possibility that the election is delayed even more, President Yushchenko said that “it is possible but pointless”, because it is crucial that the country had fully functional Parliament before January 1, 2009.