Ukraine’s New Parliament Sworn In - Yanukovych Resigns

On November 23, 2007, Ukraine’s new Parliament was sworn in while Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych tendered his resignation.

Even though Parliament met, the promised coalition between the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) and Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc failed to materialize. Eight deputies from President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine Bloc failed to appear and sign the coalition agreement. Without their signatures, the coalition cannot be legally formed, and without the coalition, a new Prime Minister cannot be selected and a new government cannot be formed.

Meanwhile, Yanukovych surrendered his power, opening the door for the creation of a new government. He maintains hope that his Party of Regions (PoR) will be included in the new government. Yushchenko, recognizing that in the September 2007 election, PoR received the most votes of any single party, supports their inclusion. Yulia Tymoshenko, the most likely choice to become the new Prime Minister, is not in favor of such a move.

In a sign of continued tensions between PoR and BYuT, representatives of both parties argued and failed to agree on the date of Parliament’s next session. Lawmakers have 30 days to agree on a Parliamentary majority (completing the coalition agreement), and another 30 days to form a new government.