Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Ukraine's newest governing coalition was formed amidst controversy and concern that the governments formation is unconstitutional. The new coalition sees a return of the previous parliamentary government between Party of Regions, Communist Party of Ukraine, Bloc Lytvyn and the self named 'People's Party' - a breakaway faction of individual members and mercenaries from Yushchenko's 'Our Ukraine' faction. Yushchenko himself has been left out of the game indicating that he had not yet been rewarded for his support of Yanukoych's campaign during last months Presidential election contest. Ukraine's former prime-minister, Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yushchenko have teamed up to challenge the validity of the new coalition in Ukraine's Courts.  This is one contest that Yushchenko and Tymoshenko should win.  At issue is the formation of the coalition government by individual members of Ukraine's parliament. Article 83 of Ukraine's Constitution...

Our Ukraine - Peoples Self Defence (NUNS) have signed the agreement with Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko and Bloc Lytvyn to reform a Governing Coalition and in the process has sidelined Victor Yushchenko and his head of staff Viktor Baloha. The decision to reunite the factions was opposed by Ukraine's President who continued to advocate the Parliament's dismissal. Had fresh parliamentary election been held,based on current public opinion polls the presidents party Our Ukraine would have been decimated and ran the risk of losing representation in the new parliament. By reforming the coalition NUNS hopes to provide stability and remain in a position of infulgence as opposed to being sidelined on the side benches. The Party has struck out in opposition and declared independence from its former leader and President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko. There is wide speculation that NUNS no longer believe that Yushchenko or his secretariat are acting in the countries best interest. Yushchenko had...

Kyiv Post have reported that the Our Ukraine and People's Self Defence faction have formally decided to re-form a governing coalition with Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko and Bloc Lytvyn to the desperate cries of dissatisfaction from supporters of Ukraine's embattled President Victor Yushchenko. The decision of the President's faction is a clear sign that Yushchenko's policies of division and undermining of Ukraine's Democratic government have taken their toll. Had Ukraine been forced to another round of Parliamentary elections Our Ukraine, who had slumped in public opinion polls to below 4%, ran the risk of losing representation in the new parliament. The determination of the faction to support a realignment with Ukraine's governing party promoted the resignation of the leader of the Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense Bloc faction, Viacheslav Kyrylenko, and his deputy Roman Zvarych. Both had played a crucial role in undermining the government's success. Roman Zva...

After months of political instability and division the on again off again coalition is back on. Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko has reunited with Our Ukraine People's Self Defence and Bloc Lytvyn. KyivPost In what can only be seen as a back down by Ukraine's beleaguered President, Victor Yushchenko and his fledgling party Our Ukraine. Back in September 2008 The President's faction withdraw from the governing coalition which sparked another round of cat and tail constitutional political crisis. Yushchenko tried to dismiss the parliament but was unable to get his way. Fresh elections were seen as a disaster for Our Ukraine who were languishing in the polls and if forced to face a new election ran the serious risk of being ousted from office. The President made a serious blunder and no one within his party and beyond supported his actions. Not the least members of Ukraine's Parliament who continued to support confidence in the Tymoshenko govenment. To add to Yushchenko's trouble...

Levenko of Foreign Notes reports on two articles published in Segodnya See also Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko's official Web site - declaration Yulia Tymoshenko has declared Yushchenko's bluff signaling the end to the coalition. It is difficult to know what deals have been made behind closed doors and with whom. But by the sounds of the aforementioned publications Ukraine is facing a serious turning point in its political future. Depending on the response by Party of Regions this could pave the way for a presidential coup detar. If events are allowed to continue top spin out of control there is every possibility that the parliament will either splinter and realign or Yushchenko will implement dismiss the parliament having declared the parliament unworkable and declare Presidential rule. Democracy under yushchenko has never been allowed to take root. Yushchenko has at every step of the way sought to undermine Ukraine's transition to a parliamentary system of governance. The politica...

Day Four: Again all the action is centered in Ukraine's Capital, Kyiv with supporters for the governing coalition having set up camp in Kyiv, many taking advantage of the cheap central location accommodation. The Government made concessions and returned to the original party membership of the coalition. This was the main excuse provided by the President to justify his decree disbanding Parliament. The Presidential decree is subject to an appeal to Ukraine's Constitutional Court who is expected to rule on whether the Presidents decree is legal. under Ukraine's constitution there are three grounds only that empower the President to dismiss the Parliament. None of them apply under the current circumstances. The President, Viktor Yushchenko, has vowed to continue with his decree and has demanded the Government to fund elections and has given them until March 11 to do so or face prosecution. Most political commentators are of the opinion that the President will be the overall lo...