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Ukraine Parliament Debates President's Powers

February 04, 2014

Parliament in Ukraine is due to debate on February 4 changes to the constitution that would weaken the powers of the president.

Ukraine has been gripped by more than two months of protests, demanding President Viktor Yanukovych resign over his decision in November not to sign a deal on closer ties with the EU.

The legislation due to be debated on February 4 would restore the constitution enacted in 2004 during the country's 'Orange Revolution.'

Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who last week turned down an offer by Yanukovych to serve as prime minister, urged lawmakers on February 3 to back the changes.

'The only way to stabilize the situation is the restoration of the constitutional rule of law and return to the Constitution 2004. Dictatorial powers of the acting president must be canceled,' Yatsenyuk said.

Yanukovych has already accepted the resignation of the government, while parliament has repealed controversial antiprotest laws and approved a conditional amnesty for detained protesters. But the opposition wants Yanukovych to resign, and an early presidential election.

Yanukovych returned to office on February 3 after four days of sick leave.

He said Ukraine had to 'say no to the extremism, radicalism, and incitement to hatred in society, behind which lies a struggle for power.'

A parliamentary ally of Yanukovych was quoted by Ukrainian media as saying the Ukrainian leader was ready to hold early elections if a peaceful resolution to the crisis cannot be found.

There was no immediate reaction from Yanukovych to the remarks by Yuri Miroschnichenko who was also quoted by the online news site 'Ukrainska Pravda' as saying Yanukovych had ruled out declaring a state of emergency.

Protesters fear Yanukovych could declare a state of emergency to allow the country's armed forces to clear out a protest camp and barricades in Kyiv.

Russia on February 3 urged Ukrainian opposition leaders 'to avoid threats and ultimatums' and join a dialogue with the government to find a way out of the crisis.

Moscow offered Kyiv a $15-billion aid package after Yanukovych walked away from the EU deal. Russia has lent Ukraine $3 billion so far, but says it will wait on whether to disperse a further $2 billion until Yanukovych appoints a new prime minister.

European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is due in Kyiv late on February 4 for talks with Yanukovych and opposition leaders. She has been quoted as saying the EU and United States are discussing an aid package for Ukraine.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said such talks were in the early stages.

'This is at a very preliminary stage. We're consulting with the EU -- as EU foreign policy Cathy Ashton said -- and other partners about supporting what Ukraine may need after a new technical government is formed and as the country gets back on the path to economic health through the IMF,' Psaki told reporters.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso confirmed on February 3 that Brussels was considering options on how to provide financial aid to Ukraine once it solves its political troubles.

Barroso also said that the EU would not enter a 'bidding competition of who pays more for a signature from Ukraine.'

Based on AFP and Reuters reporting

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine- parliament-/25252071.html

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Ukraine Parliament Debates President's Powers