Pro-western Ukraine coalition unwinds
Prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko must now step down (All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland)
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Tuesday, 16, Sep 2008 05:52
The pro-western governing coalition in Ukraine has been dissolved, plunging the country into political uncertainty.
Parliamentary speaker Arseny Yatsenyuk announced on Tuesday that the ruling coalition, led by president Viktor Yushchenko and prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had collapsed.
The former allies have repeatedly clashed over power-sharing and Ukraine's direction since the 2004 Orange Revolution that brought them to office.
The collapse of the government had been a formality since Mr Yushchenko withdrew his Our Ukraine party from the coalition earlier this month.
"I officially announce the collapse of the coalition of democratic forces," Mr Yatsenyuk said today.
Under the country's constitution Ms Tymoshenko must now resign, while there is a 30-day deadline to form a new government before Mr Yushchenko can call new elections.
"From now on responsibility lies with the Ukrainian parliament," Mr Yatsenyuk added.
"I would not call this an apocalypse. It is a challenge for democracy, but I hope we will overcome this challenge together."
How Ms Tymoshenko and the party she lends her name to react to the collapse is being seen as a key factor in Ukraine's future.
If she sides with the pro-Russian opposition and presses ahead to reduce the presidential office's powers, Ukraine's recent steps towards the west could be reversed.