Ukraine mired in crisis as PM's allies block work of parliament

UKRAINE:UKRAINE IS again teetering on the brink of political crisis, as allies of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko block the work of parliament and the opposition demands the immediate dissolution of her pro-western government.

As European Union leaders in Brussels told a visiting Ms Tymoshenko of their fears for the stability of her country, members of her party were physically blocking the speaker's rostrum in parliament in Kiev to prevent any business being done.

They demanded a vote on new laws to reduce MPs' privileges, remove their immunity from prosecution and restrict their ability to switch between parties, after two politicians left the ruling coalition, robbing it of a parliamentary majority and endangering its future.

The alliance between the parties of Ms Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko now holds 225 seats in the 450-seat parliament, and is riddled with division amid a constant power struggle between the premier and head of state.

Since spearheading the 2004 Orange revolution, which swept a corrupt old guard from the halls of power, Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko have indulged in regular political arguments, break-ups and reconciliations.

They joined forces again to beat the Russia-friendly former premier, Viktor Yanukovich, in last autumn's general election, but then took several months to thrash out a coalition deal.

Rumours abound that Mr Yushchenko's party is in secret talks with Mr Yanukovich to form a new "grand coalition", and that Ms Tymoshenko is preparing to challenge her supposed ally for the presidency in 2009 or 2010.

Meanwhile, Ukrainians are struggling with high inflation, widespread poverty, and rampant corruption, not to mention deep pessimism about their leaders' ability to govern, and vital reforms show no sign of being implemented.

"We still have some preoccupation on our side on the political situation," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Ms Tymoshenko after talks this week. "We would like very much to see the political situation stabilise."

Ms Tymoshenko, who insists inflation is coming down and predicts economic benefits from this year's expected bumper grain harvest, said her coalition was not under threat and pledged to do her best to improve relations with Mr Yushchenko.

"Ukraine has very good potential and . . . what we need to get is political unity between the president . . . and my majority in parliament," she said. "From my side as head of the government, I will do my best to head in this direction."