AKIPRESS.COM - Acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov hopes for the speedy adoption of constitutional amendments related to the expansion of the powers of regions, KyivPost reported referring to the press service of the Ukrainian parliament.

“I want it to be made known to people in the east [of Ukraine] that the authorities the same as you are interested in strong local self-government, in independence on many economic and social issues, and on the issue of independent financial support,” Turchynov said.

The central authorities want the regions to elect their own leaders who “would be responsible for the regions,” he said.

He said they wish to make corresponding amendments to the constitution.

“I hope that we will be able to vote for these constitutional amendments in the first reading before the end of May and in the final reading after hearing the opinion of the Constitutional Court in September-October this year,” Turchynov added.