Some of Yushchenko's Presidential Powers Restored

On May 16, 2008, Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada passed a new law limiting the government's authority. This law restores the President's right to review Cabinet appointments and increases presidential control over defense and foreign policy. The bill was supported by 245 members of Parliament.

Due to political deals made during the 2004 protests over election fraud, Yushchenko agreed to a reduction of presidential powers. Two years later, Parliament passed legislation further decreasing his powers. Ever since taking office, Yushchenko has wanted to overhaul the country's Constitution in an effort to restore the balance of power between the President and the government.

Yushchenko saw his opportunity to change the law following the democratic coalition's narrow victory in the September 2007 pre-term parliamentary election. What he did not foresee was Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's desire to change Ukraine's form of government to a parliamentary republic. If this occurred, it would further decrease presidential powers, essentially making the President little more than a ceremonial figurehead.

While the new law is not exactly what Yushchenko wanted, it is nonetheless a small victory. Due to the unpredictable nature of Ukrainian politics, any victory is worthy of a celebration. It may have been a baby step, but at least for Yushchenko, it was a step in the right direction.

Photo courtesy of the official website of the President of Ukraine