Allies desert Yushchenko; new movements emerge
Kyiv: Kyiv Post Editorial by Alina Pastukhova President lost control of his faction in parliament, a portentous development as more of his allies are fleeing his camp to back Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko lost control of his faction in parliament, a portentous development as more of his allies are fleeing his camp to back Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Also, two upcoming leaders started new political movements in a country that already has 159 officially registered political parties. Bucking their nominal leader, Yushchenko’s parliamentary faction Our Ukraine – People’s Self-Defense signed a formal coalition agreement with Tymoshenko’s and Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn’s factions on Dec. 16. After several days of intrigues, 37 out of 72 Our Ukraine members joined the coalition, forming a coalition of 213 deputies – still short of the 226 majority. The signing of a new coalition deal caused a bitter split in the faction and resignation of its ...