Upcoming Ukrainian Parliamentary Elections

Ukraine Pres Asks Rivals To Put National Interests First

Associated Press

January 22, 2006

KIEV (AP)--President Viktor Yushchenko Sunday called on political rivals to put their love of Ukraine ahead of political disagreements amid continuing deadlock with lawmakers over their vote to dismiss his cabinet.

Yushchenko ignored the vote earlier month, but the move by parliament has called into question the legitimacy of the administration now governing this ex-Soviet republic.

"Don't trample on Ukraine. Let her rise from her knees -even if only just one centimeter," Yushchenko said at commemorations marking Unification Day - the anniversary of a short-lived 1919 attempt to created an independent Ukrainian state.

Ukraine only gained real independence with the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union.

The spat with lawmakers followed a bitter price dispute with Russia over natural gas supplies, which resulted in a nearly twofold increase in import costs for Ukraine.

Yushchenko's political opponents have condemned the deal as a betrayal of Ukraine's national interests. Yushchenko's government insists it was a fair compromise, and has accused opponents of using the issue to destabilize the country ahead of the March 26 parliamentary elections.

"Everything we are talking about...should be looked at from the perspective of Ukraine's independence," Yushchenko said

The Ukrainian leader said that he was ready to compromise with parliament, saying "we don't need it but the nation does."

Parliamentary leaders said earlier that such a compromise would require the dismissal of some members of Yushchenko's cabinet.

Ukrainians consider that deputies do not care about the people

ForUm

January 23, 2006

Majority of Ukrainians consider that the dismissal of the government is evidence of that deputies think more about the election than about the country’s fate. According to data of public opinion poll, conducted by Oleksandr Rasumkov’s center of economic and political researches, 68% of Ukraine’s citizens expressed such opinion.

Besides, 35.6% of respondents consider that the government’s dismissal was provoked by attempts of oppositional parties to destabilize situation in the country. 32.5% of respondents are sure that Cabinet’s dismissal will increase popularity of opposition and decrease popularity of pro-power parties.

21.1% of respondents expressed an opinion that the dismissal of the government was caused by efforts of oppositional parties to improve situation in the country. 12.9% consider that the Verkhovna Rada’s resolution will increase popularity of pro-power parties and decrease popularity of opposition among the electorate.

Public opinion poll was being conducted January 12-17, 2006 in all regions of Ukraine. 2290 respondents over 18 year-old were interrogated. Theoretical error does not exceed 2.1%.

Yushchenko to take measures for solving crisis

ForUm

January 23, 2006

President Victor Yushchenko may take actions Monday aimed at ending developing political crisis aggravated by Parliament’s refusal to let judges assume their duties at the Constitutional Court, an official said Sunday, Ukrainian journal informed.

The court is instrumental in resolving the standoff between the president and powerful opposition groups in Parliament over their controversial vote on Jan. 10 to dismiss the government.

Yushchenko rejected the vote as unconstitutional, but his appeal to the Constitutional Court had yielded little result as the court for months had been lacking quorum to rule on any dispute.

“The president will address the nation on Monday,” Oleh Rybachuk, the chief of staff at the Yushchenko office, said Sunday. “The address will respond to the issue of the political crisis.”

Although the nature of the response has never been disclosed, some politicians have been recently speculating that Yushchenko should take an action to let the judges assume their duties bypassing a ceremony in Parliament.

The president, Parliament and an independent panel of judges are supposed to appoint an equal number of judges to the court. All the appointed judges must be taking an oath at a special ceremony in Parliament before assuming the duties, according to the law.

Opposition lawmakers, led by Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, have been refusing to let the ceremony amid fears that Yushchenko may appeal to the court to cancel controversial amendments to the constitution. The amendments, in effect since Jan. 1, reduce powers of the president and increase powers of Parliament.

Yushchenko, speaking Sunday on the occasion of the Unity Day, said the judges must assume their duties at the court as soon as possible. Yushchenko also said the court must quickly review the amendments, a comment that suggests the president views the amendments as one of the biggest concerns.

“ Ukraine, as a democratic country, deserves to have its own Constitutional Court,” Yushchenko said. He later added: “If we are talking about honest constitutional amendments then what are we afraid of?”

Second Wind of Ukrainian Opposition

MIG News

January 23, 2006

The President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko has charged the ministry of justice and the National Commission for consolidation of democracy and supremacy of law with an errand to prepare and handle propositions on the law project on parliamentary opposition to the Cabinet of Ministers by June 1, 2006. The propositions are to be drafted in accordance with subparagraph 12.2 of the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CE #1466 of October 5, 2005.

A correspondent decree has been passed by the head of state with a purpose to secure the fulfillment of basic responsibilities and duties entrusted to Ukraine by CE membership requirements, fixed by Copenhagen criteria on acquiring CE membership, resolution 1466 (2005) and recommendation 1722 (2005) put in force by PACE of October 5, 2005.

Year after Inauguration of Viktor Yushchenko

MIG News

January 23, 2006

Right a new ago on January 23, 2005, Viktor Yushchenko assumed his presidency and was empowered officially as the President of Ukraine. That time the inauguration ceremony took place in the session hall of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and then the President spoke to people at Maydan Nezalezhnosti.

On that very day he accepted the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and charged Nikolay Azarov with the responsibilities of the head of the government and start forming a new Cabinet.

At his the first inauguration anniversary, Viktor Yushchenko is expected to address the people with his propositions on solving political crisis, ForUm informs.

Tymoshenko stopped answering to the calls of Granny Paraska

Ukrayinska Pravda

January 23, 2006

The most famous activist of the Orange Revolution Paraska Korolyuk feels concerned about the fact that ex-premier “Yuliya Tymoshenko has left President Viktor Yushchenko”.

She told that at the people’s veche in Ternopil, “Our Ukraine” press-service reports.

“Every day I try to call Yulya and ask why she has left Yushchenko, why she has betrayed him”, –Granny Paraska said.

She has also added that she “is praying for their unity”, and for the time being “feels concerned about the fact that Yulya has left Viktor Andriyovych”.

At the same time Granny Paraska has noticed that “Our Ukraine” Bloc is on the right side of the hedge”.

“I want to see Roman Bezsmertny, Mykola Katerynchuk, Olha Herasymyuk. They need my support now. We were standing on Maydan for our Ukraine, our president and must keep on defending our ideals”, – the owner of Order of Princess Olga III grade added.

Yushchenko would address the nation with his vision on Monday

Ukrayinska Pravda

January 22, 2006

President Viktor Yushchenko would address the nation with his propositions on solution of the current political impasse. That was the message made by the Chief of the presidential secretariat Oleh Rybachuk at a press-conference organized in Kyiv last Sunday.

“The president would address the nation on Monday. We expect a TV broadcast to be made. Among other issues his speech will include answers to the questions, connected with the current political crisis and parliamentary confrontation.”

Mr. Rybachuk had also reminded that his agency had already prepared a presidential decree on prevention of the power abuses on behalf of the government during the parliamentary elections that will be conducted this Spring”.

President Yushchenko would address the parliament during the first days of the new session that is due to start on February 7.

Yanukovych ready to support Yushchenko with a few provisos

Ukrayinska Pravda

January 23, 2006

Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych is ready to support the president’s initiative to hold a referendum on the question of constitutional reform, as long as a few other questions are included.

He stated this at a press conference in Kirovohrad, according to Yanukovych’s press service.

“If the authorities have decided to consult the people [in a referendum], then we are ready to support such an initiative as a way to ask them all at once, whether they want Ukraine to join NATO, whether they think it is worth giving Russian the status of second state language, and whether to enter the Single Economic Space,” Yanukovych noted.

“In doing this we will be able to save on costs and not hold multiple referendums,” he added.

As was reported in an interview on Friday, the president did not exclude the possibility of holding a referendum on constitutional reform

Paraska Korolyuk: I am worried about the fact that Yulia has left Viktor Andriyovych

Press Service of Our Ukraine Electoral Bloc

January 22, 2006

“Every day I am trying to call Yulia and ask why she has left Yushchenko, why she has betrayed him” – a heroine from Maydan, an owner of Order of Princess Olga III grade Paraska Korolyuk told journalists. She was present at people’s veche that took place in Ternopil and received a big portrait of the President. She has also added that “is praying for their unity” and for the time being is worried about the fact that “Yulia has left Viktor Andriyovych”.

Yesterday before a trip to Ternopil Paraska noted that Our Ukraine Bloc’s position was correct. “I want to see Roman Bezsmertnyi, Mykola Katerynchuk, Olha Hersaimyuk. They need my support. We were on Maydan for our Ukraine, our President and must continue to stand for our ideals” – a citizen of Ternopil oblast added.

Oleksandr Chornovolenko: It is in fashion to play on people’s wish to see the power united

Press Service of Our Ukraine Electoral Bloc

January 23, 2006

“If somebody is talking about co-operation, he or she must do something demonstrating his or her readiness to take steps forward. These actions must demonstrate his or her true intentions. Real intentions became evident when the VR faction of the Tymoshenko bloc voted for the government’s dismissal when there was an attempt to sack the cabinet. They have also voted against some ministers during gas negotiations” – a member of Our Ukraine Bloc, people’s deputy Olekdandr Chornovolenko declared today.

“There was an attempt to sack the cabinet before the gas negotiations during the state budget’s discussion and adoption. The Tymoshenko bloc has never voted for the budget. Their proposals on co-operation really are hypocritical” – Mr. Chornovolenko noted.

“On the other hand, people have a great wish to unite the forces that used to be opposed to revenge-seekers. The government, the president, the pro-presidential parliamentary fractions used to make proposals on co-operation earlier, and representatives of the Tymoshenko bloc knew about that. But they did not react.” – he reminded.

“All similar proposals might be considered pre-election PR and an attempt to play with people’s great wish to be united. One of national features of our people is a wish to see the leadership united and fighting for national interests” – MP has emphasized.

Yevhen Hirnyk: The Tymoshenko bloc will not follow the document on co-operation they have proposed

Press Service of Our Ukraine Electoral Bloc

January 23, 2006

“They repeat the proposals the president made earlier” – a member of Our Ukraine Bloc from the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists MP Yevhen Hirnyk commented on Mykola Tomenko saying that his party proposed Our Ukraine Bloc and the Socialist Party to sign a document on co-operation.

“It does not come from the Tymoshenko bloc and Yulia Tymoshenko’s behavior that they follow themselves the principles they appeal for. I mean the principles of leading the election campaign, mutual obligations after the parliamentary elections etc. – Mr. Hirnyk thinks.

The lack of fair play at the elections and ignorance of certain obligations of allies were evident during the vote for dismissal of Yekhanurov’s government. That’s why I think that their initiative is just an element of black PR” – Mr. Hirnyk said.

“I have some doubts about the Tymoshenko bloc’s wish to sign such a memorandum. Their present actions show they are not going to follow it themselves. Moreover, personal attacks of Ms Tymoshenko on the president and many present members of Our Ukraine Bloc mean that this proposal might be considered only as means of PR” – MP declared.

Ivan Ivancho: I believe there will be “the orange majority”

Press Service of Our Ukraine Electoral Bloc

January 23, 2006

“It is our life’s demand. The Orange team is to be restored in the future Parliament – a member of Our Ukraine Bloc Ivan Ivancho said on Monday talking to his own correspondent at RAZOM site.

“The last weeks of the Rada’s activity showed very well that the Communist and oligarch majority does nor reflect people’s interests – MP emphasized. – This majority is ready to provoke chaos for the sake of their political and egoistic ambition. MPs went on holiday having left the country without a legally able government and the Constitutional court”.

“The VR faction of “People’s Union Our Ukraine” party has been standing for the unity of democratic forces – Ivan Ivancho said. – Let Ukraine continue its way to Europe, let every citizen have the job he or she likes, a good salary. We need a strong “orange team” in the new Parliament. I believe that we will have such a majority. People see who really stands for national interests of people and who just hides his real intentions by the post of a people’s deputy”.

Ihor Zhdanov: The Social-Democrats are reviving the administrative resource

Press Service of Our Ukraine Electoral Bloc

January 23, 2006

As the Central headquarters of Our Ukraine Bloc has got to know from citizens’ appeals, a notorious practice of the use of the administrative resource is being revived in Kyiv at the initiative of revenge-seekers.

“The former power cannot get rid of its old habit to use the administrative resource. For example, citizens tell about the use of employees of passport tables in Desnyanskyi region for a forced signature of letters for a referendum the SDPU (united) has initiated” – the first deputy head of the executive committee of “People’s Union Our Ukraine” party Ihor Zhdanov informed.

“It is an old practice of the Social-Democrats. If you do not sign a letter, you will not get the certificate or the document you need” – Mr. Zhdanov noted. “Unfortunately, this fact proves once again that the power has not been fully renewed. That’s why it is necessary to continue this process because nobody can infringe upon people’s rights and dignity, thoughts and principles”.

“Our Ukraine” party decisively blames such cases of the use of the administrative resource and declares its readiness to prevent such attempts of returning Kuchma’s past” – Mr. Zhdanov said. – “Our Ukraine” party addresses the law enforcing bodies with an appeal to check the information and the citizens with an appeal not to submit to at any kinds of pressure and provocation”.

President Yushchenko marked Reunion Day

Forum

January 23, 2006

Accompanied by Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, Premier Yuriy Yekhanurov, Secretariat Chief-of-Staff Oleh Rybachuk, First Deputy Chief-of-Staff Ivan Vasyunyk, NSDCU Secretary Anatoly Kinakh, Kyiv Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko, Kyiv Governor Evhen Zhovtyak, ministers and political leaders, President Victor Yushchenko took part in a ceremony to lay flowers at the Shevchenko and Grushevsky monuments, yesterday, January 22.

On January 22, 1919, the People’s Republic of Ukraine and the People’s Republic of Western Ukraine, two sovereign Ukrainian states, became one country. The Act of Reunion was proclaimed in Sophia Square in Kyiv. This reunion has been since remembered by the people and marked as national holiday.

Victor Yushchenko had signed a decree on 2006 celebrations of Reunion Day and commissioned the cabinet to organize them all over Ukraine, presidential press office reported.

Victor Yushchenko took part in a ceremony to decorate prominent Ukrainians, who contributed to the development of Ukraine and promoted its fame worldwide, with state orders.

The President congratulated his fellow citizens on Reunion Day. In his speech, the Head of State emphasized the significance of this holiday for each Ukrainian.

“Each time I enter this hall, I feel particularly responsible for Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood and Ukrainian nation,” he said and added that this day “is a really important date of the Ukrainian calendar.”

Yushchenko called on all political forces to ensure political stability during this year’s campaign.

“Dear politicians, an election is an ordinary thing, and it is not your business, for its voters’ business,” he said. “I urge all of you on this sacred day to look at certain things, which have recently provoked arguments, anew.”

The President also expressed confidence that Ukraine should have legitimate government and constitutional court until March 26. Yushchenko noted that, as President, he would do his best to hold democratic parliamentary elections in Ukraine and said he was going to sign a relevant order.

The President noted that he wanted today’s greetings by political leaders to contain the key word unity.

“If our political elite can say how to unite the nation, they will find the victorious key,” he asserted.

Yushchenko also said all challenges had, in fact, indicated our fight for independence in the past years and noted that it was vital to teach Ukrainians to “colossally respect such values as Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.” He pledged to guarantee these values and mercilessly respond to any attempt of separatism. He also claimed that it was incumbent on all branches of government to establish a dialogue.

“I can come to parliament when I am sure that our dialogue can yield results,” he said.  

Then the Head of State recited a few lines from the Fourth Decree signed on January 22, 1919 and told those present that copies of this historic document would be sent to all regions of Ukraine. He also recalled a few people who had helped Ukraine gain independence and awarded Vasyl Stus (posthumously), Ihor Yukhnovsky, Oleksandr Sylyn, Nina Matviyenko, Mykhailo Horyan and Bohdan Horyan with state orders.

Following the ceremony, Yushchenko visited an exhibition of archived documents at the Teacher’s House.  

Yushchenko mulls actions to solve crisis

Ukrainian Journal

January 22, 2006

President Viktor Yushchenko may take actions Monday aimed at ending developing political crisis aggravated by Parliament’s refusal to let judges assume their duties at the Constitutional Court, an official said Sunday.

The court is instrumental in resolving the standoff between the president and powerful opposition groups in Parliament over their controversial vote on Jan. 10 to dismiss the government.

Yushchenko rejected the vote as unconstitutional, but his appeal to the Constitutional Court had yielded little result as the court for months had been lacking quorum to rule on any dispute.

“The president will address the nation on Monday,” Oleh Rybachuk, the chief of staff at the Yushchenko office, said Sunday. “The address will respond to the issue of the political crisis.”

Although the nature of the response has never been disclosed, some politicians have been recently speculating that Yushchenko should take an action to let the judges assume their duties bypassing a ceremony in Parliament.

The president, Parliament and an independent panel of judges are supposed to appoint an equal number of judges to the court. All the appointed judges must be taking an oath at a special ceremony in Parliament before assuming the duties, according to the law.

Opposition lawmakers, led by Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, have been refusing to let the ceremony amid fears that Yushchenko may appeal to the court to cancel controversial amendments to the constitution. The amendments, in effect since Jan. 1, reduce powers of the president and increase powers of Parliament.

Yushchenko, speaking Sunday on the occasion of the Unity Day, said the judges must assume their duties at the court as soon as possible. Yushchenko also said the court must quickly review the amendments, a comment that suggests the president views the amendments as one of the biggest concerns.

“ Ukraine, as a democratic country, deserves to have its own Constitutional Court,” Yushchenko said. He later added: “If we are talking about honest constitutional amendments then what are we afraid of?”

The amendments, pushed for by then President Leonid Kuchma, were approved by Parliament in December 2004 as a compromise that had allowed a fair presidential election on Dec. 26, 2004. Yushchenko won the election, defeating then Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Kuchma’s favorite.

Yushchenko Instructs Justice Ministry To Draft Constitutional Amendments By April

Ukrainian News

January 20, 2006

President Viktor Yushchenko has instructed the Ministry of Justice and the National Commission for Strengthening Democracy and Supremacy of Law to draft a bill by April 1 that would amend the Constitution in a way suiting the conclusions of the Venice Commission and clause 14 of PACE Resolution No.1466 of October 5, 2005

Ukrainian News learned this from presidential decree No.39/2006 on the plan of measures for meeting the commitments that Ukraine undertook when it joined the Council of Europe, dated January 20.

The decree targets proper execution of Ukraine's obligations in the Council of Europe, conformity with the Copenhagen political criteria for EU membership applicants, Resolution No.1466 and PACE Recommendation No.1722 of October 5, 2005.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Yushchenko promised on January 13 to call a referendum on the constitutional amendments that took effect at the start of this year.

He said the government resignation on January 10 resulted from adoption of ill-considered political reform.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No.4180 on amendment to the Constitution and the first reading of bill No.3207-1 on amendment to the Constitution on December 8, 2004, and then-President Leonid Kuchma signed it on the same day.

According to the amendments stipulated in law No.4180, the Cabinet of Ministers is formed by a coalition of Rada's factions and groups within one month of regular or early parliamentary elections while the parliament appoints the prime minister at the recommendation of the president.

The National Commission for Strengthening Democracy and Supremacy of Law, a consultative agency under the auspice of the president of Ukraine, believes that the December 8 constitutional amendments were approved in gross violation of the active Constitution and bill consideration procedure.

The commission based its decision on the analysis of the amendments, decisions of the Constitutional Court, PACE resolutions and conclusions of the Venice Commission.

Pora-ROP Proposes Creating Coalition With Our Ukraine, Tymoshenko Coalition, And Socialist Party In New Rada

Ukrainian News

January 20, 2006

The Pora-ROP election bloc is proposing signing an agreement with the Our Ukraine bloc, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, and the Socialist Party on creation of a coalition in the new parliament.

The press service of the Pora-ROP disclosed this to Ukrainian News.

The head of the Pora-ROP bloc's political council, Vladyslav Kaskiv, said that the concept for the agreement has already been sent to representatives of the potential coalition members and that the bloc is proposing signing the agreement by January 29.

According to Kaskiv, there is presently a lot of talk about the possibility of the Our Ukraine or the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc signing an agreement with the Party of the Regions, although Our Ukraine and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc have denied this.

According to Kaskiv, agreement or refusal to sign the agreement will demonstrate the true intentions of these political

forces.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc representative Mykola Tomenko has said that the bloc intends to announce the principles and requirements of the bloc for signing an agreement with Our Ukraine and the Socialist Party on creation of a coalition in the next parliament.

Block of Yulia Timoshenko does not want to have immunity (Ukraine)

Regnum

January 20, 2006

On January 19, deputy leader of Block of Yulia Timoshenko (BYT) Nikolai Tomenko stated that presence of some persons in the BYT party ticket does not automatically mean that they will become members of the Supreme Rada or a local council, informs a REGNUM correspondent.

According to Tomenko, on March 1, the candidates from BYT will pass their first exam before the voters. The commission of BYT central headquarters will decide who will stay in the list. This “purge” in the party is caused by imperfection of the electoral legislation, because the voters can not demonstrate their attitude to separate candidates in the electoral list, explained Tomenko. He added that main criteria of the selection will me public attitude towards a candidate, corresponding publications in mass media and his participation in the electoral campaign.

Tomenko also noted that several dozens of possible candidates were not included in BYT’s party ticket because of negative publications in mass media that cast doubt on their reputation. He said that all candidates must sign an agreement about special obligations. Among them are rejection of immunity of a deputy and of other benefits.

YTB requires from the Party of Regions to exclude V. Yanukovich, B. Kolesnikov and other 'separatists' from their lists

Ostrov

January 21, 2006

Julia Tymoshenko demands from the Party of Regions to 'exclude' from pre-election party list the organizers of the separatist 'knocking-off-time' in Severodonetsk, namely: V. Yanukovich, B. Kolesnikov, Ye. Kushnarev, V. Tykhonov, A. Yefremov. That statement was dated for the Day of Unction of Ukraine, according to the Julia Tymoshenko's site.

JTB draws attention to the fact that a year ago, the basis for election campaign of V. Yanukovich became 'separatist actions and calls'. The statement stresses that it was the election headquarters of the leader of PR that produced and distributes the calls for the country's split, 'kindled animosity on regional, religious, language and national signs'.

JTB is indignant with those persons are the candidates for people's deputies from the Party of Regions.

'Viktor Yanukovich should repent before the Ukrainian people for participation in kindling inter-regional, inter-ethical and inter-denominational animosity during his presidential campaign, and the law-enforcement bodies should institute criminal charges against all participants of separatist actions, including the ones that have been implemented in 2004', says the statement.