Is the Lutsk mayor being persecuted by former fellow party members from SDPU(o)?

Today, March 17, anticipating events, Lutsk mayor Anton Kryvytskyi made a statement to local media to dispel "many rumors and insinuations" that "arise regarding him."

The top news, undoubtedly, was the statement that provocations against Anton Fedorovych are being prepared by his recent comrades from the SDPU(o). "I have learned about one action, not from rumors, but from people who demonstrate their normal civic position, that this action is being prepared against me, I note, not by representatives of the new government..., but by my former fellow party members. Moreover, not rank-and-file members, who, like me, are supporters of the social-democratic idea, but the ruling side of the regional and city organization of the SDPU(o)."

Yes, according to Anton Kryvytskyi, "an entire media project has been developed on how to compromise the city mayor." As Anton Fedorovych stated, "well-wishers" have already prepared his portraits in prison uniform and are negotiating with taxi drivers to have them carry these portraits around the city. In addition, according to Kryvytskyi, an agreement has been reached with "Inter" that a team will come to film this. And all of this will be presented as the population of Lutsk protesting against the city mayor.

"I think the party has had enough of Zakarpattia Oblast, where such events took place, and what civic resonance they received," noted Anton Kryvytskyi. "I am for criticism, for opposing my actions, but not for defamation," he added.

As for his opponents, the mayor of Lutsk suggested they first learn the basics of conducting political struggle, or ride a political scooter for the rest of their days. "Someone wants to 'take the wheel'? Then I would suggest learning at least the traffic rules first," said Anton Fedorovych.

He also stated that he will not allow anyone to manipulate him. "In this matter, perhaps I am in someone's way..., but I will never allow any political force to manipulate the city mayor. I am a self-sufficient mayor who has the trust of 70 thousand residents of our city," said Anton Kryvytskyi.

Moreover, Anton Fedorovych knows why all this is being done. Without being an inventor of the bicycle, he stated: "I know why all this is being done: preparations for the election campaign are underway. And I declare that we will fight in the elections. And let no one think that the post of city mayor will be like post No. 1: 'post handed over – post received.'"

However, when asked whether he plans to run for mayor of Lutsk again in 2006, Mr. Kryvytskyi stated that "for 2006 I would not like to give a definitive answer." "If some think that I won't, then let them think the opposite," he stated with a philosophical depth that Socrates himself would envy. True, earlier he did let slip about it. "In 1998, in the elections I had one competitor. I prayed that he wouldn't withdraw his candidacy, so that there would be at least some alternative. In 2002 there were already 5 competitors, in 2006, I think there will be no fewer than 15." Almost Freudian…

When asked whether Mr. Kryvytskyi has found the political force he would like to join, he said: "I have already joined one, thank God…" (laughter in the hall).

Already at the end of communication with the press, having generally competently built his defense on informational anticipation, Anton Kryvytskyi made an unfortunate mistake. Answering a question about the terms of renting an office for the SDPU(o) during the time when he was secretary of the Volyn regional committee of this universally respected party, Anton Fedorovych literally blurted out the following: "In premises of city communal property, where 93% in the city voted for Viktor Andriyovych, I as city mayor have no moral right to keep in these premises an opposition party, which… without even waiting for any result declares itself in opposition to everyone and everything. The party can find any apartment, any other premises and work. It is not necessary for it to be in that district [city center – A.L.]."

This is already a serious bid with a claim to political pressure. I understand that it hurts and stings to get a dagger in the back from former "comrades," and one wants to strike back… But such statements… Why not simply say: the lease agreement has expired, they don't pay for rent at all, etc. Or even simpler – they don't pay rent – go to court. Let the executive service deal with it…

By the way, Anton Fedorovych, if my memory doesn't fail me, the current secretary of the Volyn regional committee of the SDPU(o), Oleksii Shumyk, is still de jure a member of the executive committee of the Lutsk City Council, although during the past year he has not been spotted at executive committee meetings… Please comment, as they say…

And to Mr. Shumyk, a counter-proposal: why don't you yourself write a statement resigning your powers as a member of the Lutsk city executive committee, as the coordinator of the coalition "Lutsk European" Oleksandr Martyniuk recently did?

And finally, so as not to end on a minor note, another aphorism from the city mayor: "I think that a law needs to be adopted in the Verkhovna Rada. To dismiss a governor – 25 thousand people need to come to a rally, to dismiss a mayor – 15 thousand, a deputy – 10 thousand… Make such a gradation. They came, counted… It's ridiculous…"

Reference: Anton Kryvytskyi has been permanently in the position of mayor of Lutsk since 1994. Previously he headed the city from 1987 to 1991. He headed the Volyn regional committee of the SDPU(o) from June 2000 to December 2004.