Third

On May 15, Mr. Marchuk was nominated as presidential hopeful by the Our President Yevhen Marchuk electoral bloc.

"Receiving this identity card, I am only too well aware of the serious responsibility one assumes when entering the political fray. Our people deserve a much better fate and expects basic changes," Mr. Marchuk noted. According to him, whoever decides to carry out these changes will only be able to implement them if supported by the entire nation. Speaking of the political struggle, the candidate pointed out that "very many things" will become clear in the elections. In his opinion, this may be accompanied by official impropriety, but the people have already got to know the regime's handwriting.

"We will all survive this. After the registration of the last candidate, we will draw up a code of honor for the presidential candidates and suggest that all adhere to it. Our society is already full of political standoffs, and I do not think the candidates will contribute to tension in society. The political struggle should be honest and fair," he noted.

Mr. Marchuk told journalists that all the candidates would change their campaign techniques after registration.

As to the economy, the candidate said that the current situation should be radically changed in order to create necessary conditions for riding out the crisis. In his words, the past few months have displayed some tendencies that can undermine the foundations of our statehood.

"The current corrupt officials and criminal godfathers have established a terrible symbiosis. It has penetrated all authorities from top to bottom, thus posing a direct threat to democratic transformation," he said.

Mr. Marchuk expressed a hope that the people would make the right choice on October 31.

The candidate also said he was certain of his victory.