This [loosely translated portion] from an article in today's 'Segodnya':
Prosecutor-General and State Security Service [SBU] thrown at Tymoshenko
Decision by National Security and Defence Council theoretically opens up path to direct presidential rule
The war between Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko is gaining momentum. On Wednesday a resolution by the NSDC dated 10th February was announced, [read it here]in which the gas agreements concluded by premiers Tymoshenko and Putin were 'blown to bits'. The agreements were called a threat to the security of the country. The Prosecutor General's office and SBU have been specifically instructed to verify the legality of the actions of the Ukrainian officials (i.e. Tymoshenko) in signing the treaty with Russia.
On Tuesday the head of the parliamentary temporary investigation commission investigating the functioning of the country's gas transport system, Ina Bohoslovskaya, promised to refer the matter to the Prosecutor-General's office, requesting the opening of criminal case against the premier and her removal from office for misuse of her official position during the gas talks with Moscow.
After a decision is made by the NSDC, if the Prosecutor-General's office reveals problems with Tymoshenko, her removal could theoretically take place (Yushchenko wanted to deal with the-then prime minister Viktor Yanukovych during the spring crisis of 2007 in a similar fashion).
What happens next? As we have already written, political scientist Vadim Karasyov, who is close to the presidential secretariat, considers the introduction of direct presidential rule an alternative to the "economic dictatorship of Tymoshenko".
The 'Segodnya' article adds that others are not sure about this. "Yushchenko is not capable of dictatorship, it is not in his character," says Mikhail Chechetov..
Hmmm..
15 comments:
Yushchenko under pressure to resign to pave the way for a Summer/Fall election
Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko is increasingly coming under pressure to resign in the midst of an ongoing debilitating feud and conflict between the Office of the President and Ukraine's Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.
Yushchenko continues to undermine the Ukraine's Government with his latest attack aimed at destabilising Ukraine's gas deal that settled a dispute with Russia that left Europe without gas and in the cold
There is growing concern that amidst the current global financial crisis the ongoing battle and struggle between the parliament and the Office of the President is having a detrimental effect on Ukraine's economy.
According to recent polls support for Victor Yushchenko following his attempts to dismiss Ukraine's parliament and the Tymoshenko government late last year has slumped to less then 4%, the lowest level of support for a head of state in the world.
Ukraine is due to hold presidential elections by the end of the year
With less then 4% public support Viktor Yushchenko can not win a second term of office. Yushchenko, if he contests the next Presidential election, would be not survive the first round ballot. Any attempt by the President to hold on to office by declaring a state of emergency, as has been suggested, would bring Ukraine close to breaking point with the serious possibility of political and civil unrest.
A long and protracted presidential contest is not good for a country that is already struggling to financially. Ukraine needs to establish political stability and take positive steps to restore confidence in its financial security.
Pressure is mounting for the President to announce his resignation in order to facilitate an early Presidential ballot, paving the way for a Summer/Fall election as opposed to holding on to office and forcing an election in the middle of Ukraine's harsh winter.
There are many in Ukraine who believe that an early presidential election would be best for the country and that the President announcing his resignation would be the cleanest way in which to allow for early elections to take place and avoiding the need for the Parliament to consider possible impeachment proceedings against Yushchenko.
Victor Yushchenko's dwindling public support has diminished the President's effectiveness with many people both within and outside of Ukraine opting to ignore the President altogether.
Early Presidential elections would be seen as a way of putting an end to the uncertainty and conflict that has paralysed Ukraine during his term of office. The sooner Yushchenko announces his intention to resign, the sooner Ukraine can unite elect a new head of state and move forward.
Yushchenko is Ukraine's final hope, we've now seen what Tymoshenko is capable of, Ukrainian default is imminent, IMF has canceled the 2nd traunche loan, Tymoshenko is willing to sell Ukraine for 5Bn and She's unable to find a Finance Minister. I'm impressed.
It appears that Yushchenko and his office are up to old tricks. Latest news is that Yushchenko and his hench men having failed to secure support for a vote of no confidence is trying to go round the back door and has asked the Constitutional Court to declare the the formation of the new "old" governing coalition unconstitutional.
I think he will fail. IN any event it is clear that his political career has come to an end.
I would expect that impeachment is the only option. The sooner it is enacted the sooner Ukraine can begin to elect a head of state that has the respect and support of the Ukrainian people.
The last thing Ukraine needs at this time is another 7 months constitutional crisis and political stand off.
Yushchenko really does not act in the best interest of Ukraine or its people.
News Link (ITAR)
Somebody needs to get rid of this braided horse before she completely wipes Ukraine off the map. By the time elections roll by, there won't be a Ukraine thanks to her. Go get her Yush!
I disagree that there's not a lot of "fat" in the budget.
For starters, there are a lot of пільги (perks and privileges) doled out to members of the Parliament, and members of government, along the lines of housing, auto, medical and other allowances. Assorted lands were granted to assorted and several politicians.
That's just one example.
In addition, there is not one politician that has explained, in any way, why the budget can't be cut in order to balance it.
Why is Ukraine different as far as deficit spending? Because Ukraine's international credit rating is in the toilet.
Deficit spending in Ukraine is a highly dubious proposition, especially given all the corruption.
To wit - in the past, Ukraine has obtained loans for roads. That money has disappeared - and the roads are abysmal.
That's just one example.
Gene, like you yourself admitted on the 'other' forum, you havn't seen the budget, so how can you tell us whats in the budget and whats not? IMF has stated repeatedly that the budget needs to be trimmed, Tymoshenko refuses because of her populist stand, therefore IMF canceled the 2nd half of the loan. What has Yushchenko to do with this?
In the mean time, as Tymoshenko tries to barely hang on to any possibility of winning the election, Yanukovich sits back and laughs at her and the likes of you who are gullible enough to believe the crap being spread about Yushchenko by rags like this one.
If you want to see the Ukrainian budget for 2009, here it is:
http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=835-17
It includes money for films.
Admittedly, not a very large amount, but there it is.
No I haven't read it, but I have seen articles regarding it. What can you tell me about it?
By the way, the IMF has not cancelled the loan and have indicated a very serious intent to work with Ukraine to resolve the issue, asking Yush to try to work with Yulia.
There was a time I considered Yush to be a voice of reason, now I consider him only a voice of hatred, hatred that has so consumed him, he has lost all touch with reality.
Foolish man, even with his ratings in the cellar, he still thinks he can win the presidency again. And...he cares not a bit that his actions have increased the ratings of Yanu who has no love for democracy or a free press, who manipulated the vote in the first 2004 presidential election, who attempted in 2006 to take over the Rada via bribery and intimidation, whose party bribed a Supreme Court judges family, whose party violently overtook the PG's office in 2006, almost bringing Ukraine to a civil war, etc., etc. Interesting that you blame so much on Yulia instead of this obstructionist president.
No...I have NO respect left for Yush. I think he is a blight on Ukraine's history with his current actions and wish he would resign or that they could find a way to remove him. And...I believe he is as corrupt as the other two and sometimes believe only Yanu is more corrupt.
Yushchenko working with Tymnoshenko has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she refuses to trim her budget, which the IMF has continually asked her to do. I do believe she can manage that ON HER OWN TWO FEET. Changing the subject to your opinion of Yushchenko is like hiding under a rock and shows your ignorance of the facts. If you don't have a clue of what you speak, Don't!!!
It is interesting to note that shortly after this article a public opinion poll was published where 70% of Ukrainians wanted Yushchenko to go. 54% think if he does not resign then he should be impeached.
Kyiv Post followed up with a poll showing Yushchenko has a 90% disapproval rating.
Yushchenko has and continues to undermine Ukraine's political and economic stability. He is a good example as to what is wrong with the Presidential system, a system that has failed Ukraine since its declared independence.
Any suggestion by Yushchenko supporting the notion of a Presidential coup would be detrimental for Ukraine and the security of the region.
Any attempt to do so will only further diminish Yushchenko's standing. He already is the worlds least supported President.
The fact that Yushchenko is actively plotting such a move demonstrates that he is NOT a proponent of democratic values. Democracy is not perfect but it is better then the alternatives.
A Paliamentary system is by far more preferable then a Presidential dictatorship. (More checks and balances).
If Yushchenko sincerely cares about Ukraine then he would realize that it would be best if he resigned so as Ukraine can hold an early presidential ballot. Yusheko will not be re-elected
Yushchenko signed off on the budget and approved it. Now what he is saying he made a mistake.
His latest attempt to seek the Constitutional Court to rule against the formation of the new coalition which he tried to have disbanded.
The Constitutional court rejected his efforts to prop up Vanco.
He has called on Our Ukraine's Parliamentary members to once again resign from the coalition.
He has no plan other then to instigate a Presidential dictatorship.
He and his anonymous supporters are in denial and clearly do not support true democratic values. Democracy in name alone.
You want to save money.
First you can adopt a system of preferential "Instant Run-off" voting for the presidential elections. One round same result half the cost - saving 100 Million dollars
Better still allow the Parliament to appoint the head of state as is the case in many other western democracies. Saving hundreds of millions of dollars more.
Look at how much the US spends on its election of President and they still do not directly elect their head of state. (Swap the College for the Parliament and there is no real difference) A constitutional majority is all that should be required.
Poll carried out by “Sofia” Center for Social Studies.
A majority of Ukrainians (some 59.1% of those polled) believe that activities of Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko are aimed at defense of her own interests and that of her entourage.
According to the results of the poll, some 77.7% of respondents are unsatisfied with the economic policy of Yulia Tymoshenko’s government. Some 71.8% believe that the incumbent government is not able to lead economics out of crisis and even change the situation in Ukraine to better.
Tymoshenko is almost as well liked as Yushchenko.
Tymoshenko has devestated the Ukrainian economy to the point of near default. The Parliament should demand her immediate resignation. Any other European country would have seen her out the door a long time ago.
According to the constitution the cabinet is responsible for the finances of the country.
I find it very amusing that when the IMF asked for the budget to be amended it is the presidents fault, when he's not the one refusing to amend it, it is the Prime Minister that is refusing to amend.
I also find it amusing when someone is asked why does she refuse to amend it, the subject is changed to the president and some here are refusing to answer the question asked.
Where does in the constitution say that the president is suppose to put the budget together and at the same time sign it. Did the IMF ask the president or the cabinet to amend the budget? Of course, nobody is going to answer the question. They are going to redirect it to blaming the president. The above poll will show how people think of the job that the Prime Minister is doing. Now I will probably here that the polling organization is a sham. I would like to know what (proof) is there that one poll is better than the other.
The Prime Minister is just concerned to have enough money to fulfill her pet populist projects like pay off the account holders of the old soviet bank accounts, and to pay the wages that the IMF requested to have her freeze them. She doesn't want to touch the money that she wants to use for her populist projects, so instead she goes begging to other countries for money. What country has offered her a loan. The Kremlin said they haven't been officially requested for a loan. We know what they want from Ukraine, and she will probably give it to them.
Now she's asking the EC to pay for transit, just to get money to try to fix the budget. How long has it been after pressure coming from different directions since she's been asked by the IMF to amend the budget that she will amend it now? The question won't be answered. The subject will be changed right back to the president.
Read what the former Finance Minister said about the conditions he was working under. He was placed in that position by the Prime Minister. He himself has very many disagreements with the way she wanted things to be done. Her own man can't work with her.
Dubyna which was placed in his position by the Prim Minister can't keep Naftogaz afloat. The president didn't place these people in their positions, the PM did. Are you going to blame that on the president? The Customs Minister left his position because of the PM. Who is going to be next?
Yes, blame the president for all these issues that she's caused, by placing her people in those ministries. I wonder how much money she's siphoned from those ministries. Now she wants her people in the State Property Fund, so she can squeeze it out from manipulating bids.
If you can't admit to what I've written, then you shouldn't be involved in Ukrainian politics and see a doctor about your deaf, dumb and blindness.
Who cares about the presidents ratings. He's not going to be around much longer. So why not focus on what is going on now with the country, and who according to the constitution is responsible to its financial well being.
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