Vilkul agrees to debate Filatov

In Dnipro, the mayoral election campaign is gaining momentum. For the majority of city residents, it is already obvious that former Regional Party member Alexander Vilkul, who has found support among the most active electorate – pensioners – and People's Deputy from the "Ucrop" party Boris Filatov will undoubtedly make it to the second round.

The headquarters of both candidates are desperately mudslinging at each other, dragging out all the dirty laundry, of which both politicians have more than enough. Recently, Vilkul was accused of refusing to participate in a debate with Filatov because he had nothing to say.

Today, from his internet page, the former close associate of fugitive President Yanukovych – Alexander Vilkul – announced that he is ready to discuss issues with Filatov on air, setting a number of conditions.

«Насчет дебатов с Борисом Филатовым. Я, конечно, согласен, если только речь пойдет о реальных проблемах города и горожан, путях их решения, а не о политических фобиях Филатова.  (Regarding a debate with Boris Filatov. I am, of course, in favour, provided that the discussion focuses on the real problems of the city and its residents, and ways to solve them, rather than Filatov's political phobias.)
Для разогрева готов начать дискуссию вокруг двух проектов, которые были нами инициированы. На презентацию моего проекта реконструкции Привокзальной площади и прилегающей территории Филатов ответил предложением провести конкурс по разработке проекта маяка для Днепропетровска. Почему не обсудить их публично?
Что же касается основных моих программных позиций, как мне кажется, Филатов и его штаб хорошо изучили их и повторяют практически до мелочей. Правда, одно дело повторять, другое дело - в деталях разбираться. Уверен, что дебаты покажут это. 
А если быть объективным, мне не менее интересно было бы провести дебаты с Загидом Красновым, он давно работает в горсовете и немало сделал для города. Считаю интересным провести дебаты с народным депутатом Украины Максимом Курячим - нам было бы о чем подискутировать с ним, о той же проблеме децентрализации и расширении прав местного самоуправления. Считаю, и Филатову неплохо было бы с ними посоревноваться. Не стоит так недооценивать своих конкурентов (To warm up, I am ready to start the discussion around two projects that we initiated. In response to the presentation of my project for the reconstruction of the Railway Station Square and the adjacent area, Filatov replied with a proposal to hold a competition to develop a project for a lighthouse for Dnipro. Why not discuss them publicly? As for my main programme positions, it seems to me that Filatov and his headquarters have studied them well and repeat them almost down to the details. However, one thing is to repeat, another is to understand the details. I am sure the debate will show this. And to be objective, I would be equally interested in holding a debate with Zagid Krasnov, who has been working in the city council for a long time and has done a lot for the city. I think it would be interesting to hold a debate with People's Deputy of Ukraine Maksym Kuryachy – we would have plenty to discuss with him, such as the issue of decentralisation and expanding the rights of local self-government. I believe Filatov would also do well to compete with them. One should not underestimate one's opponents so much.)», - wrote Alexander Vilkul on his internet page.

One hopes that Dnipro will manage to avoid a revenge by the previous authorities and prevent any of the former Regional Party members from gaining power.