Party of regions early election call trick
05 March 2007
Published in Inform Newsletter
Speaking to journalists at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko dismissed the Party of Regions proposal to hold simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections as a “special trick.”.
The surprise proposal emanated from Party of Regions stalwart Vasyl Kyselyov, who indicated he would present a draft bill to parliament for early parliamentary and presidential elections on 30 September.
Speaking to journalists at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko dismissed the Party of Regions proposal to hold simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections as a “special trick.”.
The surprise proposal emanated from Party of Regions stalwart Vasyl Kyselyov, who indicated he would present a draft bill to parliament for early parliamentary and presidential elections on 30 September.
Ms Tymoshenko saw the proposal as nothing more than
a spoiling tactic, “Trying to bind two things in
one the Party of Regions practically destroys the
possibility of any elections.”
BYuT has consistently called for parliamentary elections as a way to end the political deadlock. “Early parliamentary elections are so necessary because the parliament is in chaos. In my opinion the government is illegitimate. It was newly-elected lawmakers who generated the clash between power branches. I think it is high time to call early elections,” said Ms Tymoshenko during her visit to the US.
BYuT is keen that any move for new elections is subject to proper due legal process.
The leader of the Our Ukraine faction Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, thought the move was nothing more than a “continuing nervous reaction” to the recent accord signed between BYuT and the propresidential bloc.
Earlier President Viktor Yushchenko had hinted at a possible dissolution of parliament. “As the Head of the State I cannot ignore people’s indignation and rejection of attempts to bring Ukraine back to despotism,” said the president.
Appealing for constructive dialogue between the political parties, the president’s words carried a thinly veiled threat, “I assure the Ukrainian society that in case of the slightest encroachment on the Basic Law and the citizens’ freedoms I will exercise my constitutional rights to protect people, our national interests and the nationhood of Ukraine.”
Speaking to the Associated Press, President Yushchenko highlighted the power struggle between his office and Mr Yanukovych’s Cabinet of Ministers. He said that the latter’s decisions
have been “taken with such insufficient consideration that they can be based only on emotions and the desire for some primitive revenge.''
Ms Tymoshenko, who has been helping American lawmakers and policy experts to understand the constitutional stalemate that grips the nation, said, “The message is clear, Ukraine needs a democratic and responsible government. The only way this is to be achieved is if the constitutional reform that robs the president of his powers is overturned by the Constitutional Court and early parliamentary elections are called. Let the people decide Ukraine’s course and direction.”
BYuT has consistently called for parliamentary elections as a way to end the political deadlock. “Early parliamentary elections are so necessary because the parliament is in chaos. In my opinion the government is illegitimate. It was newly-elected lawmakers who generated the clash between power branches. I think it is high time to call early elections,” said Ms Tymoshenko during her visit to the US.
BYuT is keen that any move for new elections is subject to proper due legal process.
The leader of the Our Ukraine faction Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, thought the move was nothing more than a “continuing nervous reaction” to the recent accord signed between BYuT and the propresidential bloc.
Earlier President Viktor Yushchenko had hinted at a possible dissolution of parliament. “As the Head of the State I cannot ignore people’s indignation and rejection of attempts to bring Ukraine back to despotism,” said the president.
Appealing for constructive dialogue between the political parties, the president’s words carried a thinly veiled threat, “I assure the Ukrainian society that in case of the slightest encroachment on the Basic Law and the citizens’ freedoms I will exercise my constitutional rights to protect people, our national interests and the nationhood of Ukraine.”
Speaking to the Associated Press, President Yushchenko highlighted the power struggle between his office and Mr Yanukovych’s Cabinet of Ministers. He said that the latter’s decisions
have been “taken with such insufficient consideration that they can be based only on emotions and the desire for some primitive revenge.''
Ms Tymoshenko, who has been helping American lawmakers and policy experts to understand the constitutional stalemate that grips the nation, said, “The message is clear, Ukraine needs a democratic and responsible government. The only way this is to be achieved is if the constitutional reform that robs the president of his powers is overturned by the Constitutional Court and early parliamentary elections are called. Let the people decide Ukraine’s course and direction.”