The opposition action in front of the Ukrainian House conference center proves that they are concerned about their own popularity rating, rather than the future of the Ukrainian language, Volodymyr Oliynyk of the Regions Party parliamentary faction has said.
"The opposition has once again revealed their true colors. Most of those who have gathered there are neither for the Ukrainian language, nor for the Ukrainian people. They provoke tensions and by doing so are attempting to push up their rating," the Regions Party quoted Oliynyk as saying on Wednesday.
"They acted like vandals and damaged the TV cables to disrupt the broadcast of the president's press conference. They used tear gas which is an extreme measure. Now they will self-inflict bruises and start yelling in front of the world that they were beaten up. And then a fake opposition activist sporting a black eye will travel to his native Ternopol and start telling stories about how he loves the Ukrainian people and how rudely he was treated for that. Feigning pain would be enough to win votes. All this is an imitation intended solely for scoring points," the politician said.
The opposition arguments on the bill on the principles of the state language policy aim to manipulate the public, Oliynyk said. The bill was passed by a parliamentary majority with all the regulations observed, he said.
"When I heard yesterday that some would go on a hunger strike to get the bill repealed I was surprised: we have defended the rights of ethnic minorities, giving citizens the right to speak their native languages. Does all this shock the opposition to the extent of declaring a hunger strike? These hysterical statements only suggest that their rating and public focus is the motive, not citizens at all. But people are wise and they will decide on their own whether these opposition showmen should be trusted," the lawmaker said.
