The chairman of Ukraine's parliament today declared the governing coalition linked to the country's 2004 "Orange Revolution" dissolved, opening the way for complicated talks to find a viable alternative.
"I am obliged to fulfil my constitutional duty. This has been long expected, but for me it is extremely sad," chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the chamber. "I officially declare the coalition of democratic forces ... in Ukraine's parliament dissolved."
The coalition had been made up of forces led by President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, allies in the 2004 revolution who have since sniped continually.
They have become fierce rivals ahead of the 2010 presidential election.
The Ukrainian parliament now has 30 days to either form a new coalition or a fresh election will be called. Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko have engaged in a tug-of-war since she regained premiership late last year.
The final straw came when Mr Yushchenko accused Ms Tymoshenko of acting in the Kremlin's favour by failing to condemn Russia's war with Georgia.