Ukraine: September 2008 Archives
According to Sofia Social Research Center expert Oleksandr Levtsun, Ukrainian citizens would prefer a new parliamentary coalition consisting of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) and the pro-Russian Party of Regions.The poll of 2,005 people, conducted between September 9 and September 17, followed the dissolution of the “Orange” coalition between BYuT and President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc (OU-PSD). Poll results revealed the following:
Positive Responses
- BYuT/Party of Regions - 41.4%
- Party of Regions/Communist Party/Lytvyn Bloc - 34.4%
- BYuT/OU-PSD - 26.4%
- OU-PSD/Party of Regions - 7.5%
- OU-PSD/Party of Regions - 77.7%
- BYuT/OU-PSD - 57.9%
- Party of Regions/Communist Party/Lytvyn Bloc - 48.5%
- BYuT/Party of Regions - 42.1%
Wow. I’m surprised the researchers found enough participants that currently care about a parliamentary coalition. My understanding is that most Ukrainian citizens have had enough of all the elections and political battles that have plagued the country since the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Photo: Qatar - Creative Commons
In accordance with a clause in the agreement of Ukraine’s recently failed democratic coalition, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatseniuk resigned his post today. The coalition agreement between the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) and Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc (OU-PSD) specifies that both the parliamentary speaker and prime minister are required to step down if the coalition collapses.
Yatseniuk stated that if new elections were scheduled, he would form his own party. Former Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said this is Yatseniuk’s first step towards an independent political career.
At a Wednesday press conference, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said she would not resign. Tymoshenko stated, “The coalition has not collapsed ... We are not a flock of sheep who jump into the abyss just because one sheep has done so.” Tymoshenko added that the government will continue to work for a “long time” despite the “not very nice political events” that have occurred.
I don’t know how Tymoshenko personally defines a collapse of a coalition, but you would think that if one of two participating groups leaves the alliance and the speaker of parliament formally announces the end of the coalition two weeks later, the coalition has indeed collapsed.
This is an interesting move by Tymoshenko. People could view her refusal to resign as caring so much about the country that she will not allow the government to stop work while either a new election takes place or a new coalition is formed.
However, by not resigning, Tymoshenko could also be seen as someone who is power-hungry and does not honor her own agreements. This would make it difficult for BYuT to secure a new majority coalition agreement, whether in the next 30 days or after a new election.
In line with my previous comment, details have emerged about the rumored deal between BYuT and the Party of Regions that has failed to materialize. Apparently, Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the Party of Regions, was to be appointed Speaker of Parliament while Tymoshenko would remain as Prime Minister. In 2010, Yanukovych would be elected President while Tymoshenko would remain in the prime minister’s post.
Powerful members of the Party of Regions opposed the deal, saying that as the larger group in Parliament, their leader should become the Prime Minister (Party of Regions holds 175 seats, BYuT has 156 seats). The two parties also have failed to reach common ground regarding future presidential powers, a problem for Tymoshenko’s desire for constitutional reform.
Yatseniuk stated that if new elections were scheduled, he would form his own party. Former Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said this is Yatseniuk’s first step towards an independent political career.
At a Wednesday press conference, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said she would not resign. Tymoshenko stated, “The coalition has not collapsed ... We are not a flock of sheep who jump into the abyss just because one sheep has done so.” Tymoshenko added that the government will continue to work for a “long time” despite the “not very nice political events” that have occurred.
I don’t know how Tymoshenko personally defines a collapse of a coalition, but you would think that if one of two participating groups leaves the alliance and the speaker of parliament formally announces the end of the coalition two weeks later, the coalition has indeed collapsed.
This is an interesting move by Tymoshenko. People could view her refusal to resign as caring so much about the country that she will not allow the government to stop work while either a new election takes place or a new coalition is formed.
However, by not resigning, Tymoshenko could also be seen as someone who is power-hungry and does not honor her own agreements. This would make it difficult for BYuT to secure a new majority coalition agreement, whether in the next 30 days or after a new election.
In line with my previous comment, details have emerged about the rumored deal between BYuT and the Party of Regions that has failed to materialize. Apparently, Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the Party of Regions, was to be appointed Speaker of Parliament while Tymoshenko would remain as Prime Minister. In 2010, Yanukovych would be elected President while Tymoshenko would remain in the prime minister’s post.
Powerful members of the Party of Regions opposed the deal, saying that as the larger group in Parliament, their leader should become the Prime Minister (Party of Regions holds 175 seats, BYuT has 156 seats). The two parties also have failed to reach common ground regarding future presidential powers, a problem for Tymoshenko’s desire for constitutional reform.
As expected, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatseniuk announced the formal dissolution of the pro-Western “Orange” majority coalition between the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) and President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc (OU-PSD). A new majority must be built within the next 30 days, or the nation faces another election.
BYuT claims it is not responsible for the collapse because the group did not quit the alliance. Instead, they point fingers at OU-PSD, which quit the coalition on September 3. BYuT has also shown an instruction from OU-PSD leadership to their regional party organizations stating the main task is a snap election, not saving the coalition.
Obviously BYuT did not quit the coalition, but that, in itself, is not enough to claim they are not responsible, or share responsibility, for the breakup. OU-PSD did not leave without reason, or what they saw as a just cause. Not only that, but Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President Yushchenko have been at each other’s throats almost since the day Tymoshenko took office last December.
While there have been issues with many of Yushchenko’s decisions and actions, some of Tymoshenko’s have also been quite suspect. Not only that, Tymoshenko has typically been completely resistant to any policy compromises. It seems to be either her way or the highway. It is time (actually way past time) for Tymoshenko and Yushchenko to stop placing blame elsewhere and simply look at themselves - there is plenty of blame to spread around to all parties. These two have been so completely focused on themselves they forgot they are supposed to be in office to serve the Ukrainian people - you know, the people who are really suffering through all this.
At this time, I should also apologize for being so excited last year when the “Orange” coalition assumed power. I should have known better than to believe Yushchenko and Tymoshenko could get along and that the coalition would last and be successful.
BYuT claims it is not responsible for the collapse because the group did not quit the alliance. Instead, they point fingers at OU-PSD, which quit the coalition on September 3. BYuT has also shown an instruction from OU-PSD leadership to their regional party organizations stating the main task is a snap election, not saving the coalition.
Obviously BYuT did not quit the coalition, but that, in itself, is not enough to claim they are not responsible, or share responsibility, for the breakup. OU-PSD did not leave without reason, or what they saw as a just cause. Not only that, but Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President Yushchenko have been at each other’s throats almost since the day Tymoshenko took office last December.
While there have been issues with many of Yushchenko’s decisions and actions, some of Tymoshenko’s have also been quite suspect. Not only that, Tymoshenko has typically been completely resistant to any policy compromises. It seems to be either her way or the highway. It is time (actually way past time) for Tymoshenko and Yushchenko to stop placing blame elsewhere and simply look at themselves - there is plenty of blame to spread around to all parties. These two have been so completely focused on themselves they forgot they are supposed to be in office to serve the Ukrainian people - you know, the people who are really suffering through all this.
At this time, I should also apologize for being so excited last year when the “Orange” coalition assumed power. I should have known better than to believe Yushchenko and Tymoshenko could get along and that the coalition would last and be successful.
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.
Members of Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc have left their Democratic coalition with the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) following a parliamentary vote in which BYuT and the pro-Russian Party of Regions adopted new draft laws reducing the powers of President Viktor Yushchenko.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said the laws are simply meant to properly define the roles of both the President and Prime Minister. On the other hand, Yushchenko accused Tymoshenko of making a power play and participating in a constitutional coup.
Tymoshenko replied to Yushchenko’s power-play accusations by stating that she is ready to back out of running in the next Presidential election. She has also given the members of Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc 10 days to return to the Democratic coalition without any ultimatums or provocations.
Yushchenko has threatened to dissolve parliament and call for another pre-term, snap election unless a new coalition can be formed.
This is very disappointing, but not surprising. Yushchenko and Tymoshenko have been butting heads all year and something like this was almost bound to happen. Unfortunately, the biggest loser in this situation are the Ukrainian people, who are suffering due to the inadequacies and personal agendas of its governmental officials.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said the laws are simply meant to properly define the roles of both the President and Prime Minister. On the other hand, Yushchenko accused Tymoshenko of making a power play and participating in a constitutional coup.
Tymoshenko replied to Yushchenko’s power-play accusations by stating that she is ready to back out of running in the next Presidential election. She has also given the members of Our Ukraine People’s Self Defense Bloc 10 days to return to the Democratic coalition without any ultimatums or provocations.
Yushchenko has threatened to dissolve parliament and call for another pre-term, snap election unless a new coalition can be formed.
This is very disappointing, but not surprising. Yushchenko and Tymoshenko have been butting heads all year and something like this was almost bound to happen. Unfortunately, the biggest loser in this situation are the Ukrainian people, who are suffering due to the inadequacies and personal agendas of its governmental officials.
