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Ukrainian parliament back in deadlock

Ukrainian opposition lawmakers consult with their leader Yulia Timoshenko, left, during an evening parliament session in Kiev yesterday. PHOTO: EPA

Ukraine was back in political deadlock yesterday after parliament missed a deadline set by President Viktor Yushchenko to approve legislation to end a two-month constitutional crisis.

Lawmakers had been asked to vote on a series of amendments to allow early parliamentary elections as part of a deal struck between Yushchenko and his rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

Yushchenko had urged legislators, who had until Wednesday to vote, to show "political responsibility." But in a stormy session of parliament, deputies failed to approve any of the amendments, raising the chances of Ukraine once again plunging into political turmoil.

Although officially dissolved, parliament was scheduled to meet again at 10am yesterday. Yushchenko has hinted he may give lawmakers more time for debate.

"Parliament fell apart in full session," ran a headline in the Kommersant daily yesterday.

"The political deal has fallen through," Izvestia said.

"The ceasefire between the opposition and the coalition is over. The two sides are returning to a bitter stand-off," it said under the headline "Speaking of Peace, Prepare for War."

Yanukovych's Regions Party holds a majority in parliament in coalition with the Socialist and Communist parties. The crisis in Ukraine began on April 2, when Yanukovych defied orders from Yushchenko to hold early elections. The president meant to stop what he called a power grab by the prime minister's allies in parliament.

Tensions escalated sharply last week, when the president and prime minister sparred for control over security forces and scuffles broke out at the prosecutor general's office.

The two sides had put on a show of unity after a political agreement on Sunday to hold early elections on Sept. 30. But this week tensions remained barely below the surface.

Yanukovych criticized orders issued by Yushchenko and called for parliament to be given more time to debate. Yushchenko, on the other hand, accused the legislature of "political corruption."

The two sides also remained deeply divided over the appointment of the prosecutor general. Svyatoslav Piskun was sacked by Yushchenko last week.
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