Ukraine’s Political Nightmare Continues
Arseniy Yatseniuk, Speaker of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, is reportedly ready to formally announce the breakup of the “Orange” democratic coalition during tomorrow’s parliamentary session. The coalition had been between the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) and Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc (OU-PSD). The announcement would be in line with article 65 of the Verkhovna Rada Temporary Regulations.
Today, rumors have been running rampant about a possible new ruling coalition between BYuT, OU-PSD and the Lytvyn Bloc. Officials from the Lytvyn Bloc concede that talks have occurred, but fail to acknowledge any more substance to the rumor.
Another rumor has BYuT joining forces with the pro-Russian Party of Regions. This rumor began after the groups recently joined forces to pass new laws decreasing Presidential powers. It is not clear if talks have commenced between these groups.
Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, chairman of OU-PSD, indicates his group has received no proposals from any faction about creating a new coalition. He also stated that OU-PSD would never agree to a coalition with the Party of Regions.
So, it’s another governmental crisis for Ukraine - what else is new? I have absolutely no idea what will happen there tomorrow or in the next month. I’m not sure anyone in Ukraine knows, either. If Yatseniuk makes the formal announcement tomorrow, Ukraine’s political groups will have 30 days to create a viable majority coalition in parliament. If they fail to do so, President Yushchenko could they dissolve Parliament and call for new elections.
New elections likely will not solve the problem. The results of a recent poll published in the weekly Zerkalo Nedeli show BYuT with 24.1% and the Party of Regions at 23.3%.
This indicates the winning group in a new election will still not hold a majority of seats in Parliament. Ukrainian law requires a parliamentary majority, so a new coalition agreement would be necessary. If these political groups cannot form a coalition now, how will they do so after a new election. Is it any wonder so many Ukrainians are completely apathetic and disinterested in their country’s politics.
Today, rumors have been running rampant about a possible new ruling coalition between BYuT, OU-PSD and the Lytvyn Bloc. Officials from the Lytvyn Bloc concede that talks have occurred, but fail to acknowledge any more substance to the rumor.
Another rumor has BYuT joining forces with the pro-Russian Party of Regions. This rumor began after the groups recently joined forces to pass new laws decreasing Presidential powers. It is not clear if talks have commenced between these groups.
Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, chairman of OU-PSD, indicates his group has received no proposals from any faction about creating a new coalition. He also stated that OU-PSD would never agree to a coalition with the Party of Regions.
So, it’s another governmental crisis for Ukraine - what else is new? I have absolutely no idea what will happen there tomorrow or in the next month. I’m not sure anyone in Ukraine knows, either. If Yatseniuk makes the formal announcement tomorrow, Ukraine’s political groups will have 30 days to create a viable majority coalition in parliament. If they fail to do so, President Yushchenko could they dissolve Parliament and call for new elections.
New elections likely will not solve the problem. The results of a recent poll published in the weekly Zerkalo Nedeli show BYuT with 24.1% and the Party of Regions at 23.3%.
This indicates the winning group in a new election will still not hold a majority of seats in Parliament. Ukrainian law requires a parliamentary majority, so a new coalition agreement would be necessary. If these political groups cannot form a coalition now, how will they do so after a new election. Is it any wonder so many Ukrainians are completely apathetic and disinterested in their country’s politics.
