Ukraine president seeks to remove election commission head

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych asked parliament on June 3 to vote for the dismissal of Central Election Commission Chair Volodymyr Shapoval. Top candidates to replace Shapoval as chairman are two commissioners known to be loyal to the ruling Party of Regions, the Kommersant-Ukrayina newspaper reported. Shapoval turned 65 two weeks ago, which is the retirement age for state employees. Yanukovych had the option of extending his term, but declined to do so, the newspaper said. Opposition leaders said the president’s proposal violated the law, which requires that he first consult with the leaders of parliamentary factions and groups before the recommendation.

Zenon Zawada: Shapoval has been a relatively balanced election commission chair. Replacing him with someone known to be loyal to the Party of Regions will intensify the government’s conflict with the opposition. Even worse, it will serve to discredit the validity of the Central Election Commission during the 2015 presidential election, which is expected to be highly contentious. The opposition will likely oppose the president’s nomination for the new election commission chair, which would set up the newest government conflict with long-term potential.