Ukraine's Rada warns President Yushchenko may usurp power
24/05/2007 16:42
KIEV, May 24 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's Supreme Rada passed a resolution Thursday warning of a possible usurpation of power in the country by President Viktor Yushchenko.
"The Supreme Rada believes that recent steps made by the president are a definite demonstration of power usurpation, and warns of his personal responsibility for further developments of the situation," the resolution said.
Late Wednesday the president accused the country's Constitutional Court of losing its legitimacy and ordered the prosecutor general's office to launch an investigation into the court's actions.
Earlier Wednesday, the Constitutional Court significantly limited the president's power to appoint and fire heads of local courts by upholding an appeal from the High Justice Council, which questioned the president's choice in appointing and firing judges.
The Rada said in the resolution that by assessing the court's activities as illegal, "Viktor Yushchenko has practically assumed the functions of the Constitutional Court."
"On May 24 the State Guard Department, which is controlled by the president, blocked the Constitutional Court building, obstructing the work [of the court]," the document said. "Such steps are qualified by the Criminal Code as a crime."
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court continued deliberations Wednesday on whether Yushchenko's April 2 decree dissolving parliament was legal.
On April 2, the pro-Western Ukrainian leader issued a decree to dissolve the 450-seat Supreme Rada and hold early elections on May 27, after 11 opposition members defected to the ruling coalition. Parliament and ministers, dominated by pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's supporters, refused to obey the order and referred it to the Constitutional Court.
On April 26, Yushchenko issued another decree to dissolve parliament, setting an election date for June 24. However, Yanukovych and his supporters continue to insist on a later date, possibly in September or October.
