Coalition Defections Could Prompt New Elections in Ukraine
By Daniel Hollingsworth
June 6, 2008

BBC reports that two members of the governing coalition in the Ukrainian parliament have left the coalition, leaving the combined blocs of President Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko without a majority in Parliament.  The losses leave the coalition with 225 seats, exactly half of parliament.  BBC writes that as one nonaligned member has often voted with the coalition, “It is unclear whether the coalition will remain viable, or whether it may become necessary to seek a new coalition or call elections.” 

The coalition formed following the Orange Revolution in 2004 has been rocky.  In May, President Yushchenko was prevented from making an address to Parliament when allies of Tymoshenko blocked him from the podium.  A May 16 report by the Associated Press said that Yushchenko was forced to post his speech online and in three local newspapers.  The incident was seen to be a reflection of the growing tensions between the two leaders who expected to compete in the 2010 presidential election. 

For more background on this breaking story, please visit CCD’s Ukraine in Context section, and stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.

References:

BBC: Ukraine coalition loses majority

Associated Press: Ukraine's president posts his speech on Web after parliamentary obstruction

CCD: Ukraine in Context

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