Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

The parliament ought to act in Ukraine’s long-term benefit rather than engage in pragmatic trade-offs to satisfy Yushchenko’s or Tymoshenko’s short-term goals.

icy. But now the very Constitution itself could become fodder for their tug-of-war.

Within the last few weeks, Yulia Tymoshenko declared her intention to amend Ukraine’s Constitution by establishing a parliamentary republic in place of the current presidential-parliamentary governing structure.

It’s obvious the current model isn’t working, which splits authority between the president and prime minister, ensuring a persistent rivalry. President Viktor Yushchenko has warred with each Cabinet since he took the reins, in battles which repeatedly threatened the nation’s stability and led to economic crises. Tymoshenko taking up the cause to improve a dysfunctional system is admirable, but her motivations are suspect. It’s clear she’s fed up with Yushchenko and the slew of vetoes that the president shot off in recent weeks.

Sooner or later, Ukraine will either need to restore a presidency with the authority enjoyed by former President Leonid Kuchma, or conform with European models and create a parliamentary republic. However the current means of discussing the new Constitution is dangerous.

While Tymoshenko has created a temporary special committee, Yushchenko set up a National Constitutional Council. But anything their respective committees produce will only advise legislators and their bills, and neither body has higher authority than the other.

The parliament ought to act in Ukraine’s long-term benefit rather than engage in pragmatic trade-offs to satisfy Yushchenko’s or Tymoshenko’s short-term goals of enhancing their influence.

Deciding between a presidential or parliamentary republic is a debate that should occur within the halls of parliament in the months to come, enabling the public to hear various views and offer its response.

While that happens, the parliament needs to keep both Tymoshenko and Yushchenko at bay while ensuring the proper civic discussion occurs, rather than allowing any institution to be bulldozed in a battle for power.