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President's statement for media on the results of first round of Presidential Election 2010
As the Head of State I accept the choice of Ukrainian people expressed in elections on January 17, 2010.
The most important thing is that the elections were held freely,
democratically and legitimately. Ukraine and Ukrainians have
demonstrated high electoral standards, being exemplary throughout
former Soviet Union. The fact is recognized by numerous international
observers. Our nation has once again demonstrated commitment to
European values.
Free and democratic nature of elections, I
think, is our extremely important achievement, which is the result of
five years of my presidency. As the President, and as a Ukrainian I am
proud of this fact.
Being the President I have done
everything to ensure free expression in Ukraine and ensured freedom of
choice and speech without any administrative pressure. Freedom of
choice is the essential tool and primary sign of democracy in our
country.
The fact of free elections means that the Orange Revolution actually won, and it won not by words, but by deeds.
I would like to repeat: as the President I have complied with my
guarantees of freedom of speech, rule of law in the election process
and equality of rights of participants of the campaign. There was no
blackmailing from the authorities in the election process, there was no
persecution or administrative intervention, each candidate had access
to the media, all people had equal voting opportunities, which they
used, and the atmosphere of first round was generally radically
different and more tolerant, than of previous elections in our country.
I thank the representatives of local governments, who in
critical economic and financial conditions have facilitated the work of
the polling stations. Local authorities have executed the instruction
of the President on this issue. I am grateful to all the organizers of
the electoral process and members of district commissions for the hard
work during this time. I thank the police and security officers, who
provided order, thwarted threats and did not allow disruption of the
elections.
I thank all the citizens, who voted in these elections.
I thank the voters, who voted for me. I appreciate your conscience.
Your votes are votes in favor of Ukrainian European democratic Ukraine.
I am deeply convinced that we do not need seasonal moods.
We
know that Ukrainian national, democratic, European idea is supported by
millions of people, and our whole nation. It is so, and so it always
will be. We have a continuous political stance, which says that Ukraine
will remain Ukraine. By keeping this stance Ukraine will only
strengthen.
Ahead is a very difficult second round of elections.
It is difficult because although Ukraine has free elections, it doesn’t have choice.
As evidenced by past experience, for both candidates competing for the
position of the Head of our state, national, European and democratic
values are, in fact, incomprehensible, alien, and far.
In my opinion, the opinion of Ukraine’s citizen, there is no principled difference between the two candidates.
I have fulfilled my democratic obligations as the President of Ukraine,
but my commitment to national cause and the state demand me to stay in
the political life of Ukraine.
Main subject of protection in
Ukraine is democracy. I have told about that many times lately. Only
democracy promises us future and perspective. This principle must be
protected at any cost.
As President of Ukraine, I remain a
guarantor of the Constitution and will put all my efforts in ensuring
free, legal and democratic second round of election.
I call
the two candidates for presidency to tolerance and rationality - you
face the challenge to adequately prepare for the second round and to
accept the voters’ choice with dignity.
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9 March 2010
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