KIEV, July 7 – President Viktor Yanukovych will seek to strengthen his powers dramatically by amending the constitution, perhaps as soon as this year, Serhiy Liovochkin, his chief of staff, said Wednesday.

It would be “logical” to approve the amendments through a referendum on October 31, the date for which the ruling coalition has already scheduled local elections, he said.

“The president is in fact responsible for all spheres and it would be logical to grant him powers that would allow him to implement all demands posed by the time and by the society,” Liovochkin told a group of reporters.