The EU said in a statement that while it recognized Ukraine's sovereign right to change its constitutional framework, the proposed reforms could have a negative impact on the confidence of voters, particularly in an election year.
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, last month passed on first reading a bill that would allow the president to be elected by deputies instead of through a popular vote. The amended constitution would come into effect in 2006.
Ukraine's Constitutional Court then cleared Kuchma to run for a third term in the October presidential election.
The EU statement said, "a constitutional change must draw its legitimacy from real popular support for its objectiveness."
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, last month passed on first reading a bill that would allow the president to be elected by deputies instead of through a popular vote. The amended constitution would come into effect in 2006.
Ukraine's Constitutional Court then cleared Kuchma to run for a third term in the October presidential election.
The EU statement said, "a constitutional change must draw its legitimacy from real popular support for its objectiveness."
