Azarov booed by entrepreneurs

'Segodnya' reports one thousand entrepreneurs in Vinnytsya confronted Prime Minister Mykola Azarov today to protest against the possible adoption of new Tax Code.

The rally took place near the administrative building of the Vinnytsya Regional State Administration [150 km. south-west of Kyiv] when the PM was attending a meeting on problematic issues surrounding the socio-economic development of the region.

The protesters were addressed by leaders of public organizations and political parties, as well as by businessmen. They held placards with slogans such as 'The country for the people', 'The authorities are killing small business', 'Privileges for olіgarchs - handcuffs for entrepreneurs', and others.

Azarov's response? - "We always listen to people, of course - even if only 100-200 people turn out into the square we always listen to them. I never dismiss the problems. We know who organized these rallies, but we need to listen - even to a 'paid' rally, [maybe] adjust decisions , but the main thrust of the government [policy] is reform and tax reform - one of global reforms."

p.s. 'Segodnya' also reports that 'dodgy' voting slips for next Sunday's local elections have been found by Yulia Tymoshenko's 'Bat'kivshchyna' party in a fourth oblast. "Voting slips are being illegally printed in the Odessa oblast", it says.

Just wait until the counting starts...