Georgia's Ex-president Vows To Force Early Ukraine Elections
Muhammad Rameez Published November 12, 2016 | 01:00 AM
KIEV, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2016 ) : Georgia's pro-Western former president Mikheil Saakashvili on Friday announced plans to create a new opposition movement in Ukraine that aims to topple the current leadership and force early elections.
Saakashvili was a passionate supporter of Ukraine's 2014 pro-EU revolution that ousted the Russian-backed president and set the former Soviet republic on its westward course. He was rewarded by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for his efforts by being named as governor of the important Black Sea port and resort region of Odessa in May 2015.
But the 48-year-old fluent Ukrainian speaker resigned on Monday in frustration after the president and members of his inner circle allegedly hindered him from fighting corruption. The mercurial Saakashvili -- a furious foe of Russia -- said "we will create a wide political force, a new platform of new forces whose goal is to remove the current political elite." "Our goal is to force early parliamentary elections as soon as possible," he told reporters in Kiev.
Ukraine is due to hold its next legislative polls in 2019. The current parliament is led by the parties of the president and his prime minister. Other chamber members include populists and nationalists who might swing to Saakashvili's side.
The prospect of new political turmoil comes seven months after graft allegations forced Poroshenko to overhaul his government as Ukraine continued to fight a pro-Russian separatist war in its east that has claimed nearly 10,000 lives.
That 30-month battle still simmers and the prospects for peace in the European Union's back yard seem distant. Ukraine's Western allies have long worried about the level of bribe-taking and insider dealing that penetrates the country almost three years since a popular uprising appeared to herald fresh change for one of Europe's poorest states.
Saakashvili made himself into a US darling in Georgia by cleaning up the corrupt police force and setting the Caucasus country on a far more economically transparent road. But Georgia's devastating defeat to Russia in a brief 2008 war saw Saakashvili's star power dwindle to the point that he was beaten in a 2012 election and was targeted in a series of investigations he viewed as politically-driven.
He left his country and came to Ukraine with a promise to clean up graft-riddled Odessa as he did with ex-Soviet Georgia. Saakashvili said Monday he was serious about his new plan to oust Poroshenko -- a rich chocolate conglomerate owner -- and set Ukraine on a fresh course.
"I do not intend to negotiate with anyone," Saakashvili said in Russian. "I will only negotiate with the people of Ukraine."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 8 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 08 May 2024
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
More Stories From World
-
Pakistani beef promoted in Pakistan National Pavilion to tap China's market
6 minutes ago -
'A blessing': Rains refill Iraq's drought-hit reservoirs
6 minutes ago -
Is Brazil still the land of football?
15 minutes ago -
Toyota posts record yearly net income, revenue
16 minutes ago -
Top-seeded Celtics, Thunder win playoff openers
25 minutes ago -
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
25 minutes ago
-
In Orban's Hungary, Xi to see China's best friend in EU
25 minutes ago -
Florida judge indefinitely postpones Trump documents trial
26 minutes ago -
'No one expected us' says Reus as Dortmund return to Wembley
26 minutes ago -
Brazilians queue for precious water as flood damage intensifies
26 minutes ago -
Milking venom from Australia's deadly marine animals
56 minutes ago -
Kim Jong Un mourns death of North Korea's former propaganda chief
1 hour ago