Ukraine president dissolves parliament This makes me envision another amendment.
Posted on 04/02/2007 12:33:08 PM PDT by A. Pole
Ukraine is facing its second general election in less than two years after President Viktor Yushchenko last night dissolved parliament, citing "unconstitutional" behaviour by the Moscow-friendly government of Viktor Yanukovich, prime minister.
In a move aimed at ending months of political gridlock caused by a stand-off with his long-standing rival Mr Yanukovich, the president said in a television address that it was his "duty" to call fresh elections, accusing the government of the "the politics of intrigue and fraud". The poll will take place on May 27, he said.
Mr Yushchenko urged Ukrainians to remain calm saying "the situation is under control and stable".
"We are going down a difficult but democratic path," he said.
The dissolution of parliament - the boldest move by Mr Yushchenko since he came to power in the pro-democracy Orange Revolution of 2004 after beating Mr Yanukovich in presidential elections - was immediately challenged by government MPs. Legal experts also questioned the constitutionality of the presidential order.
The move followed eight months of increasingly acrimonious stand-off between the president and the prime minister, who came to office after elections in March 2006 that left the country split between allies of the two men.
Faced with his rival’s systematic undermining of the authority of the presidency, Mr Yushchenko feared that his hopes of setting Ukraine on a democratic and pro-western course would be derailed.
While Ukraine’s economy has been performing strongly and investor interest has been growing, the business community has been increasingly concerned about the consequences of political infighting. Corruption is seen to be on the rise and the integrity of key institutions, including the court system, has been called into question.
"Many feel that the current chaotic political environment has emboldened civil servants to revert to their old habits," said Jorge Zukoski, president of the Kiev branch of the American Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Yushchenko signed the dissolution order late on Monday after a frantic bout of last-minute negotiations with the government coalition.
In his address, he cited three areas of "crisis": unconstitutional formation of the coalition (a reference to the practice of luring over opposition deputies to bolster government numbers); unconstitutional resolutions passed by the government; and politics of "intrigue and fraud camoflauged by calls for unification."
"My actions are dictated for the dire need of preserving the country, its territorial integrity and sovereignty," Mr Yushchenko said.
Mr Yanukovich’s allies warned that dissolving parliament "illegally" could split Ukraine on an east-west axis, between in Ukrainian and Russian speaking halves.
The premier’s Regions party and the opposition party of Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, are expected to poll the highest support in new elections. Both were the strongest parties in the March 2006 poll. The Our Ukraine party loyal to the president has seen its support fall since finishing third in 2006.
Considering the recent treasonous actions by 'Rats, an interesting model to fantasize about here. I reject it because it would break things more than it would fix them... but interesting to fantasize about nonetheless.
It is happening here, just in reverse. :(
so let them split ....
East Ukraine will be absorbed by Russia. West Ukraine melds with Poland and becomes Ruthenia again.
Most interesting.
It will be fun:). Ukraine may split up to 2 or 3 parts.
If they can keep corruption down to a dull roar, they have a good chance to move forward.
I don't think so. Ukrainians have a very independent streak which has grown since partition. In spite of a strong Russo descendant population in some parts, very few really want to tie themselves to Russia again.
Pretty interesting and ironic that a younger nation so much more so than our republic is able to act against those within who seek to usurp and commit treason against the nation.
Ironically at the same time this occurs, the US has the head of Congress going to the ME to conduct its own self-declared foreign policy.
It seems in Ukraine, breaking the rules has consequences, unlike the treason enabling representatives here who can call upon the media as their stalwart allies.
That will never happen. It’s a wet dream of Russian nationalists but, excluding the Crimea, the majority of Ukrainians do not want to become part of Russia. That includes Eastern Ukraine. Western Ukrainians are also not exactly enamored of Poland. Go read the history boards at ukraine.com to get a flavor of their feelings.
Ukrainians believe they have more democracy in Russia.
oops - that should read “than Russia”.
Actually I know a lot of Ukrainian women (friends of the wife) BUT I've never talked politics with any of them.
Ya'll probably know better on this one.
I think you are very wrong. Ukrainians are very political, and always have been. Voter turnout in the last election was 75% (compared to 42% in the US).
Those who emigrate, for the most part, are those who have given up on their society. They aren’t representative of the populace as a whole.
There is a certain sense of resignation, in terms of how society changes, but all of these countries have gone through massive changes in a very short time span.
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