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9 October, 08:27 | Reuters

Ukraine's politics since Orange Revolution

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko dissolved parliament on Wednesday and called for the third parliamentary election since the 2004 "Orange Revolution" that swept him to power.

Following is a chronology of political events since the revolution.

TYMOSHENKO AS PRIME MINISTER

Jan 23, 2005 - Yushchenko sworn in as president after street protests in November and December against a fraudulent election won by then-Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. Yulia Tymoshenko is named prime minister within days.

Sept 8 - Yushchenko dismisses Tymoshenko's government after infighting and the resignation of two top officials. Yuri Yekhanurov, a presidential ally, takes her place.

Jan 10, 2006 - Parliament votes to remove the government over a gas deal with Russia that sharply raises the cost of imports.

March 26 - Yanukovich's Regions Party emerges as the largest party in a parliamentary election with 186 of 450 seats, but is outnumbered by the combined "orange" score of 243. The orange groups fail to form a coalition after months of talks.

YANUKOVICH AS PRIME MINISTER

July 18 - A coalition made up of the president's opponents proposes Yanukovich as prime minister. He is approved a month later after promising not to reverse pro-Western policies.

Jan 12, 2007 - Yanukovich supporters pass law to reduce Yushchenko's control of the government, a blow to his authority.

March 13 - Yushchenko supporters storm out of parliament to back its demand that Ukraine stick to pro-Western policies.

April 2 - Yushchenko signs a decree dissolving the chamber, leading to months of turmoil over his call for a new election. Yanukovich eventually agrees to a new poll in September.

Sept 30 - "Orange" parties win a majority of 227 seats -- one more than needed to win most votes in the 450-seat chamber.

TYMOSHENKO RETURNS

Dec 18 - Parliament approves Tymoshenko as prime minister with 226 votes, the minimum number required to take office.

July 11, 2008 - Tymoshenko survives a no-confidence vote called by the opposition in protest against her government's handling of high inflation and other economic ills.

Aug 18 - Yushchenko's deputy chief of staff accuses Tymoshenko of betraying national interests by not backing Georgia in its conflict with Russia.

Sept 3 - Our Ukraine, Yushchenko's allies, walk out of the "orange" coalition after denouncing a joint vote by Tymoshenko's bloc and Yanukovich's party to reduce presidential powers.

Oct 8 - Yushchenko calls for an early election after a month of talks fails to reunite the "orange" team or find a new ruling coalition.

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Guest (Guest) | 16.10.2008, 16:01

Sure - Yuschenko\'s destructive role is that he stands for Ukrainian Independence and democracy, which IS VERY destructive for putin’s empire and irritating for his local accomplices!

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 10.10.2008, 02:55

II do agree with the previous posts about Yushchenko\'s destructive role. The most destructive part of this, in my opinion, is the cynical use to which he has put Ukrainian nationalism. An erratic, egotistical leader is using issues such as the Russian threat, the Ukrainian language and the famine of the 1930\'s to cover and justify his ineptness and his dangerous stewardship of his nation. The worst part of all of this is that by not reforming the economy, not getting to the bottom of who really was behind Gongadze\'s murder, the flourishing of corruption and the incredibly stupid handling of relations with Russia, this man who claims to be the greatest champion of the Ukrainian nation and its identity is in fact the man who is putting the independence and stability of Ukraine most at risk. Yes It\'s time for him to go except that his main political rivals are not much better than he is. The reality is that totally new political figures are needed at the top of Ukrainian politics.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 10.10.2008, 16:43

Two wrongs do not make a right. The facts still remain that Yushchenko has destabilised Ukraine and not acted in its best interest. In 2007 Yushchenko illegally and unconstitutionally dismissed Ukraine\'s stable Parliamentary coalition in order to prevent the Parliament from initiating much needed constitutional reform and the adoption of a European Parliamentary system of government. Political opportunism resulted in fresh elections being held after a seven month standoff., The current crisis is a direct result of Yushchenko\'s unconstitutional and undemocratic actions. If anyone should be facing the people of Ukraine it should be the President. As to who is better out of a bad lot that is a decision that Ukrainians and their elected representative should decide. Democracy is not perfect but it is the better alternative to dictatorship.. Yulia had her chance to seek changes to the constitution and then hold fresh elections. She talked about it but failed to deliver.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 16.10.2008, 16:04

blah blah blah all politicians tell us lies ....nobody\'s good ............all are bad .....there is no alternative..........blah blah blah...........8-) HOW BORING AND EMPTY!

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 10.10.2008, 16:53

I think Hryhoriy Nemyria would make a very good head of state. Yulia should continue to represent Ukraine as leader of the Parliamentary faction. She is best suited in this role. Ukraine should have adopted a European Parliamentary System of governance as other former soviet states had done when it first declared independence. The Soviet presidential system has failed Ukraine and it should be abandoned in favour of a Parliamentary democracy. The role of a head of state is to provide guidance and assistance in supporting the development of democratic institutions. There act as an elder statesman/Hetman. Yushchenko has failed Ukraine in all accounts. He has failed to provide genuine leadership or representation. His policies and actions have set back Ukraine\'s democratic development 10 to 15 years. The key to Ukraine\'s future is first and foremost political stability and its ability to adopt European standards of governance. Get the foundations right and the rest follows.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 16.10.2008, 16:12

If as you say \"Yushchenko had failed Ukraine in all accounts\" there would not be Ukraine as a country but russian province or another kuchmostan!

Answer

Ne NUNS (Guest) | 09.10.2008, 12:46

If anyone should face re-election it is Yushchenko. With less then 5% support Yushchenko no longer holds the respect and confidence of the people of Ukraine.

Yushchenko will not be reflected to a second term and he has destroyed any hope or chance of playing a constructive and positive role in Ukraine\'s development. His career has come to and end. Sadly as long as Yushchenko remains in Office Ukraine will continue to suffer. Pressure must be brought to bear on the Yushchenko to resign and to hand over the office of the President to someone who maintains the confidence and respect of the Ukrainian people. If fresh elections are to be held then Ukraine, for the sake of it\'s democratic future Ukrainians MUST voice their opposition and protest by voting against the President\'s party and his supporters.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 16.10.2008, 16:07

Go vote 8-) it\'s \"unconstitutional\" way for you to voice your opinion through the ballot. So thank President for that!

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 09.10.2008, 12:38

One year on from the September 2007 elections Yushchenko, again is facing opposition to his Presidential rule this time from Yulia Tymoshenko who was advocated constitutional reform and the adoption of a European Parliamentary system. Faced with the prospect of again losing Power Yushchenko and his Political Support base Our Ukraine opted to sabotage the existing coalition.

The economic cost of Yushchenko ongoing power struggle is considerable.Ukraine integration with Europe has been set back at least ten years as a result and the Country is bitterly divided with a minority 5% of the population waging an ideological war against Ukraine\'s democratic development. Whilst Yushchenko mouths the words of democracy his actions have not been in Ukraine\'s best interest. To the contrary his actions have been detrimental tor Ukraine overall.

Yushchenko has demonstrated nothing but contempt for the rule of law and true democratic values.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 09.10.2008, 12:30

In 2007 Yushchenko,faced with growing support for parliamentary constitutional reform which would have seen Ukraine abandons the Soviet Style Presidential \'rule by decree\' autocracy and adopt a democratic European Parliamentary \'rule of Law system of governance. Yushchenko response was to unconstitutionally dismiss the Parliament and in the process bring Ukraine close to the bring of civil war, In June 2007 Yushchenko illegally interfered with the operation and independence of Ukraine\'s constitutional Court in order to prevent the court from ruling against his decree. the Constitutional Court to this day still has not ruled on the constitutionality of the Presidents actions. In April 2007 The Parliamentary Assembly of the council of Europe in its report on Ukraine recommended that Ukraine adopt a full parliamentary system of governance in line with other European states.

Answer

Guest (Guest) | 09.10.2008, 12:22

There is a lot missing from this chronological list.Yushchenko has persistently undermined Ukraine\'s democratically elected parliament and opposed any attempt for Ukraine to adopt a European Style Parliamentary system of Government going aqs far back as 2002. In 2006 Yushchenko and his party Our Ukraine were the cause of the collapse of the Orange Revolution partnership.Our Ukraine refused to support at the time the formation of an orange governing coalition. as a result of their destructive game play Party of Regions was able to successfully negotiate the formation of a stable government.

Answer

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