The first session of the new Ukrainian parliament was dominated by formalities as the old government officially resigned their posts and deputies swore oaths of loyalty to Ukraine. Widespread fears that non-attendance might render the legislature invalid proved unfounded, with all 450 deputies present and correct, but there was confusion following the apparently unilateral decision of acting parliamentary committee chair Raisa Bohatyryova of the Party of Regions to schedule the next meeting for next Thursday.
Confusion and delay
“It’s strange that with the state facing so many problems the Party of Regions is actually delaying the start of the new parliamentary session. In my opinion, it looks like an anti-state gesture,” commented Yulia Tymoshenko, who hopes to return to the prime minister’s office as the head of an Orange coalition with the slimmest of parliamentary majorities.
President Yushchenko meanwhile commented on the confusion generated at this first parliamentary session by labeling the legislature “the main source of the country’s political instability.”
The first issue on the agenda next week will be the formation of a new parliamentary majority. The election results give Tymoshenko’s BYUT and the Our Ukraine/People’s Self-Defence (OU/PSD) bloc 228 seats, which would allow them to form a government with a majority of just two seats. However, although the two blocs signed a pledge to renew their Orange coalition prior to the September 30 vote, there has been speculation that elements within Our Ukraine remain keen on forming a so-called broad coalition together with the Party of Regions. Another scenario would see no coalition at all formed and the previous government continuing in office as an acting administration.
Orange coalition appears united
The day before the opening of the new parliament, President Yushchenko appeared to dispel rumours of an impending rejection of the Orange coalition agreement by calling on all members of his OU/PSD bloc to commit to the coalition, a plea apparently backed up by OU/PSD bloc leader Yuriy Lutsenko’s claim that all members of the bloc, including three dissenting voices who had thus far refused to commit, approved of the coalition agreement. This show of unity came following speculation that there would be a revolt within the Orange camp over the position of parliamentary speaker, with rogue OU/PSD members said to be preparing to vote for Ivan Plushch in a bid to scupper Tymoshenko’s plans to form a government.
The next week will be crucial for the formation of a new government, but with confusion reigning over the date of the next sitting, it is unclear whether enough members of parliament will be present to validate any voting.
