Ukraine president mulls early elections: Top lawmaker

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych could call for early elections if a deal is not reached with the opposition, a top lawmaker says.

Yuriy Miroshnychenko, the president’s personal representative in parliament, made the remarks on Tuesday ahead of a parliament session to discuss the opposition demands.

Miroshnychenko stated that Yanukovych has spoken to lawmakers, saying there were “two possible scenarios” to end the two-month crisis in the country.

“The first is the release of occupied buildings and an amnesty and the second is early elections. The amnesty is not working out,” Miroshnychenko stated, referring to the release of detained protesters.

The opposition has demanded that the detained protesters be freed unconditionally.

However, Yanukovych and his ruling Regions Party say the detainees could only be released if occupied buildings including ministries and regional government offices are emptied within the next days.

On Monday, Yanukovych condemned the mass protests against his government, describing the demonstrations as incitement to hatred prompted by a struggle for power.

Meanwhile, Russia, which supports the Ukrainian government, has expressed concerns over the inflamed situation in the country, urging the Ukrainian opposition to end its “threats and ultimatums” and engage in talks with the government.

The Ukrainian opposition is still adamant on its call for constitutional reforms, which would take the power away from Yanukovych.

Last month, Yanukovych proposed to grant top government positions to the opposition leaders, who rejected the offer.

Yanukovych also pledged to change the constitution to reduce the president’s powers, following his decision to scrap an anti-protest law.

The crisis began in Ukraine about two months ago, after the president refrained from signing a political and trade deal with the European Union.