MP of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko (elected in district #12 in Vinnytsia oblast as a self-nominated candidate) announced that he intends to stand as a candidate in 2014 Presidential election.
He announced this from the stage situated on the Vasyl Stus Square. Some thousands of Vinnytsia citizens came there for a meeting, advertised for 7 PM (posters were hung and leaflets were disseminated to mailboxes of Vinnytsia citizens). Besides that, supporters of Petro Poroshenko were transferred from the regions. A lot of attendees were holding flags saying "A new way of living. Petro Poroshenko".
Poroshenko explained in his speech, that the slogan "A new way of living" means "to be wealthy, hardworking and free". He also thanked the voters in Vinnytsia for their support, and for providing him "a way to politics" in 1998 (when he was elected as MP for the first time).
"Right here, in Vinnytsia, I must put you the most important question in my life. I want to make an important announcement. My dear friends, my fellows, I've taken a decision: I will stand as a candidate for the President of Ukraine!" - Petro Poroshenko announced. Having finished his speech, Poroshenko said that he "will not betray the memory of the Heaven's Hundred".
We should also mention that there were other slogans on the square. Thus, some local activists, who are in opposition to the ex-mayor of Vinnytsia V. Hroisman, were holding placards "Apply lustration to Hroisman!" and "Get the colored out of the Cabinet of Ministers" (an implication that the Vice Prime Minister Hroisman is close associate of Poroshenko). Activists of the Maydan in Vinnytsia were holding placard: "When migrants from Crimea will get the official status?", and disseminated invitations to the charitable marathon in support of Ukrainian army etc.
The meeting with Petro Poroshenko started and ended with performances of native artists. People's Artist of Ukraine, Taras Petrynenko and Tetiana Horobets, were singing. Sometime later, singer Jamala performed in Crimean Tatar language and in Ukrainian, the band «Kozak system» also performed.
After T. Petrynenko sang the song "Ukraino" in the end of the meeting, he said: "Poroshenko – is our President!"
On the very same square, next to the philharmonic society, the newly-announced presidential candidate conducted a briefing for mass media representatives.
