Yanukovych: Ukraine should return to mixed electoral system of parliamentary elections

The introduction of differentiated election thresholds and a mixed electoral system at parliamentary elections must be the priority tasks on the way to the modernization of the electoral system in Ukraine, reads the annual address of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, a copy of which has been sent to Interfax-Ukraine.

"The modernization of the electoral system and regulation of electoral legislation will help overcome the negative tendencies in the electoral sphere. Among the priority tasks in this direction it is necessary to name the introduction of a differentiated election threshold at the elections to the Verkhovna Rada for parties and blocs, or a prohibition on the formation of party blocs, the introduction of a mixed electoral system at the elections to the Verkhovna Rada, and the further development by local government agencies of the majority system at elections," reads the address.

At the same time, the document reads that if the proportional system remains then election threshold must be differentiated: 4% for parties, 5% for blocs with a gradual increase by 1% for each new party that joins a bloc, apart the first two.

In addition, according to the document, the mixed electoral system is reasonable for regional councils, while city mayors should be elected by an absolute, not relative majority of citizens.

"A two-round electoral system or a an 'additional vote' system can be introduced for this," reads the document.