|
 
Viktor Yanukovych: The government forgot about the country
05.06.2008
A regular meeting of the Opposition government headed by the Party of Regions Leader Viktor Yanukovych was held today. Particularly, in his opening speech he stated the following:
- Nowadays the citizens' profits are "eaten away" by permanent price advance for all consumer goods, for fuel, etc. The economy growth rate is reducing progressively. And it is evident if we compare the performance results of the present government with the last year's indices.
Neither the Government nor the National Bank have not yet reported to Verkhovna Rada about accomplishment of the integral program on combating inflation. Today the government officials make statements that they are not going to report to parliament. But they should know that reporting to parliament means reporting to the Ukrainian people. We wish for the Government to stop fooling the whole country and considering itself to be the cleverest. And, in my opinion, now the main trouble is that the ruling authorities do not want to admit their mistakes and inability to do anything positive.
The authorities reckon merely on populism. Thus, for example, the production in a number of industries of the Ukrainian economy has begun to curtail. The building industry is not an exception. Today this industry has no increment. And it is a disturbing sign. Obviously, if there is no increase in building, it is the evidence of a lack of investment. Domestic investment in this industry experienced almost a three-times cut.
The consumer goods import is increasing dangerously. As a result, domestic commodities are extruded from the market by imported products. The tendencies in foreign economic activity raise a great concern. Thus, both our prognoses and international experts' prognoses are proving correct.
On today's meeting we need to examine the situation in those aspects of the country's performance which the Opposition government has not yet considered. I think that the situation within the Armed Forces is very painful for the whole country. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze how and due to what their reformation is carried out. We should appraise and draft conclusions regarding the consequences of such a "development" of the Armed Forces.
The second sensitive issue for the society is a development of the coal industry. This industry is a basis for development of the entire country's production. If we fail to achieve a fuel and energy balance in the energy industry, other industries of the economy will suffer as well. Primarily, it concerns the metallurgical industry which yields the lion's share of currency receipts from export. Clearly, export of metallurgical industry products makes up a substantial part of revenues at the state budget.
We remember the state of the coal industry in 2006, when we took up work in the government, we remember our achievements over 2006-2007. And now it is sad to watch how this industry is being demolished. Nowadays a lot of CEOs and workers of coal enterprises are calling for our help. It has become considerably more difficult for miners to keep a family comparing to the previous years.
Today the Ukrainians suffer from the present government's failed policy. Both pensioners and disabled people suffer. Although there are not so many protests from these people, they have already begun to go to Kyiv with a purpose to demand from the state the returning of their earnings and in order to make the state meet its obligations. These facts are regrettable.
As for implementation of the state programs, it leaves much to be desired. Presently, the state programs are either cancelled or ignored by the government. Not only industries suffer from this but also the regions which relied on a receipt of subventions stipulated in the budget. Each beneficiary of one or another state program is a victim as well. Following the government's irresponsibility, work on many programs not only has not been begun, but even the already launched work was halted.
Now the coalition acts as if everything in the country is all right. In the parliament hall they address minor questions, due to which making alterations to the State budget is blockaded. Parliament has failed to hear proposals to the country's main financial document for the current year. The government's report on overcoming inflation, how the government will curb rise in prices for consumer goods, has not been heard as well.
And although the coalition exists, it functions "de jure". "De facto" it does not work any more. At the moment the coalition is striving to finish this session as soon as possible and go on holiday. The coalition hopes that people will bear further populism and poor governance. At least in the view of the beginning of the summer season holidays.
The Opposition government has to stick to a principle position under such conditions. We ought to tell the Ukrainians the truth now. People want to hear an answer to their question, what to expect from the current government.
We are obliged to tell the people what is taking place, namely, that it is a coalition's political game aimed at the preparation for the upcoming elections. And it does not matter for what kind of elections – pre-term or regular. Because the coalition's main goal is to try to maintain their political rating by means of populism, and divert the public attention from the challenges the country faces by means of adventures.
We observed this scenario well in the case of pre-term elections in Kyiv. And it is very delightful that they did not succeed in the one of their biggest gambles. People estimated properly the ruling authorities' actions. People understood that this political gamble had been an ordinary fight for power. Whilst the present government forgot about the country. | |
|
| 
| 
| 
