First, the good news about the Verkhovna Rada session that just ended.
First, the good news about the Verkhovna Rada session that just ended:
Ukraine’s parliament ratified agreements that allowed the country to enter into the World Trade Organization, a move that is expected to make the nation’s economy stronger and more competitive by reducing trade barriers.
Parliament also asked the Constitutional Court to abolish its members’ immunity from prosecution, a step that would ensure that deputies are not above the law.
But the good news ends there.
The Rada will resume work on Sept. 2.
It ended its session on July 11 with a failed noconfidence vote against Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s cabinet. Only 174 lawmakers voted to remove Tymoshenko, 52 votes short of the 226 votes needed. But the Party of Regions led by Orange Revolution villain Viktor Yanukovych, Tymoshenko’s and President Viktor Yushchenko’s foe, promised another noconfidence vote when the Rada reconvenes.
Parliamentary speaker, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, is not impressed. “There is nothing to talk about. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian parliament has become considerably degraded and this is our achievement, not someone else’s,” Yatseniuk said.
It was hard to disagree.
For those who like numbers, the parliament passed 43 laws, but failed to pass key budget or constitutional amendments.
And parliament – with an eye on the upcoming presidential election in 2010 – is likely to be just as unproductive in the fall. And lawmakers may not do much before the next presidential election, since the leaders of the fragile ruling coalition, Tymoshenko and Yushchenko, are expected to run against each other in 2010.
“There will be two possible scenarios: a way to form a new coalition will be found or parliament will be dismissed,” setting the stage for yet another snap election, said political analyst and Tymoshenko bloc consultant Taras Berezovets.
Alina Pastukhova can be reached at [email protected] or 4964563, ext. 1095.
