Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Given that political porno is inevitable in Ukrainian politics, it’s time to tighten deadlines politicians have to form a government following elections

ion is fighting to promote its interests and secure government posts. This battle involves pulling every political stunt and maneuver to secure one’s own interests.

This is called political pornography because it involves pandering to television cameras and indulging in selfish motives, instead of offering voters a meaningful political process.

Raisa Bohatyryova of the Party of Regions declared the next parliamentary session on Nov. 29 instead of Nov. 27. Yuriy Yekhanurov of Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense wants to cancel seven points of the Democratic Forces Coalition agreement, and rewrite 25 other points. The faction loyal to Viktor Baloha opted to boycott a Nov. 27 party council meeting to resolve differences over the coalition agreement.

Given that political porno is inevitable in Ukrainian politics, it’s time to tighten the deadlines these politicians have to form a government following elections. The Ukrainian Constitution currently stipulates a month for the first parliamentary session to convene, a month for a coalition agreement to be signed, and another month for a prime minister to be elected.

Lawmakers should trim these deadlines significantly, and get to business.