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Photo Marion Kushnir/Radio Svoboda.Org (RFE/RL)
Representatives of the European Union in Ukraine expressed regrets regarding the lack of a “serious debate” between presidential candidates before the election run-off. Chairman of the EU Delegation Hugues Mingarelli said this while speaking to the ENEMO observers who came to the second round of the presidential election in Ukraine, as reported by Radio Svoboda.
“In my opinion, this is disrespect for the voters. Candidates must agree to hold a serious discussion so that voters are provided with information about the political guidelines of the contenders,” he said.
On April 19 at 7:00pm Kyiv time, the Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky and the current President Petro Poroshenko are to hold an informal debate in Olympiyskiy Stadium.
At the same time, the Central Election Commission made an amendment to the regulation regarding the TV debate between presidential candidates on Public TV. The beginning of the debate was rescheduled from 8:00pm to 9:00pm on April 19. It will last until 10:00pm.
According to Zelensky’s representative, he does not intend to participate in the debate on Public TV, as stipulated by Ukrainian regulation.
The Law “On Election of the President of Ukraine” sets the time, duration and procedure for holding the TV debate before the second round of the election. The debate, at the expense of the state budget, has to be held on the last Friday before the day of voting, between 7:00pm and 10:00pm, supported with live coverage, and is to last no less than 60 minutes.
Earlier, the Central Election Commission pointed out that the debate in the studio of the National Public Broadcaster (UA:PBC) is stipulated by law and occurs at the expense of the state budget of Ukraine, whereas debates at the stadium would be considered campaigning with the candidates needing to cover the expenses.
The second round of the presidential election in Ukraine will be held on April 21.
