KIEV, March 26 (RIA Novosti) - The mayor of Kiev,
whose mental competency has been questioned over recent
policies and extravagant remarks, said on Thursday he would run
for president of Ukraine.
"I will by undoubtedly take part in the presidential
campaign," Leonyd Chernovetskiy told a news conference.
A commission set up by Ukraine's parliament to look into
Chernovetskiy's activities has ruled the mayor should undergo a
psychiatric examination as his initiatives ran counter to the
law and made a mockery of the city authorities.
Among other odd decisions and unpopular policies,
Chernovetskiy fired the head of the Ukrainian capital's zoo for
failing to find a mate for the zoo's elephant and introduced
entry charges at cemeteries.
The mayor has refused to undergo the examination. He
recently exercised in front of journalists to demonstrate his
fitness. Chernovetskiy ran, did chin-ups and swam in a swimming
pool as reporters looked on.
Presidential elections in Ukraine will take place late
this year or early next year, with the date to be set by
parliament. The current president, Viktor Yushchenko,
ally-turned-rival Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and
ex-premier and opposition Party of Regions leader Viktor
Yanukovych are seen as the main candidates.
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