Late-breaking news from Kyiv (02/12/06)

Late-breaking news from Kyiv

President wants new Constitution

KYIV - In a February 9 address to the Verkhovna Rada, President Viktor Yushchenko called for the creation of a constitutional commission to draft a new Constitution. Ukrainian law doesn't address many of the constitutional changes that went into effect on January 1, such as what would happen to the government should the parliamentary majority coalition fall apart. "Unless these laws are changed, the government system cannot function in these new conditions," he said. He told reporters afterwards that a national referendum to approve a revised Constitution is entirely realistic. The January 1 reforms sharply reduced the president's powers, particularly the ability to appoint the prime minister and many Cabinet members. The president stressed that he isn't initiating a constitutional review prior to the March 26 elections.

Brawl erupts in Verkhovna Rada

KYIV - Before President Viktor Yushchenko addressed the Verkhovna Rada on February 9, a brawl erupted between Our Ukraine and Communist legislators. Communist Party National Deputy Oleksander Bondarchuk hung a banner in the Rada that read "Where are the Steps for the People?" referring to Mr. Yushchenko's "10 Ten Steps for the People" plan. The banner outraged Our Ukraine deputies, who ran to tear it down, thereby igniting the fight with the Communists in which Our Ukraine National Deputy Mykola Martynenko suffered a broken nose. Mr. Bondarchuk is a frequent instigator of violence, having torn off its stand Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn's microphone several times during the 2005 World Trade Organization brawls. He also was at the center of the October 15, 2005, conflict on the Khreschatyk between Communists and Ukrainian Insurgent Army veterans and supporters.

Election of judges postponed

KYIV - The Rada will not vote to elect its quota of Constitutional Court judges this week. On February 8 those elections were postponed until at least next week by the Parliament's caucus coordinating council. The Constitutional Court has not been able to convene since September, because the Rada has thrice failed to elect four justices to the 18-member bench. The Rada has also refused to allow the judges appointed by the president and the national convention of judges to be sworn in. The court is paralyzed and thus cannot consider a number of cases, including challenges to the way political reforms were adopted in 2004 and to the immunity from prosecution for elected officials approved by the Rada last fall.

- Zenon Zawada, Kyiv Press Bureau

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