Yushchenko threatens to call election amid 'coup' accusations

PRESIDENT VIKTOR Yushchenko has threatened to call snap elections in Ukraine after accusing his prime minister and former ally, Yulia Tymoshenko, of launching a “coup” against him with support from pro-Russian parties.

The latest row between the leaders of the 2004 Orange Revolution, which appeared to end Russian domination of Ukraine and set it on a path towards greater integration with the West, came just two days before a visit by US vice-president Dick Cheney intended to show support for the Black Sea nation following events in Georgia.

Members of Mr Yushchenko’s party quit the ruling alliance on Tuesday night after Ms Tymoshenko’s allies joined with the opposition Regions Party to pass laws reducing the president’s power and making it easier for him to be impeached.

“Yesterday, a political and constitutional coup began in parliament,” said Mr Yushchenko, who must sign the new laws for them to come into force.

“The new coalition formed by Tymoshenko, Yanukovich and the communists will not serve Ukraine’s interests,” he added, referring to Viktor Yanukovich, the Regions Party leader, whose fraudulent election victory in 2004 was overturned by the mass protests of the Orange Revolution.

Mr Yushchenko said that if a new, formal ruling coalition was not formed quickly he would use his right to “dismiss parliament and announce early elections”.

Ms Tymoshenko is expected to challenge Mr Yushchenko for the presidency in the 2010 elections.

She accuses him of blocking vital privatisation reforms to derail her government and damage her popularity. He has called her cabinet irresponsible and incompetent and alleges that her muted reaction to Russia’s military campaign in Georgia was part of a ploy to win Moscow’s backing for her presidential bid.

Amid widespread warnings that the Kremlin could seek to destabilise Ukraine following its action in Georgia, Mr Yushchenko appeared to accuse Ms Tymoshenko of being in league with Russia.

“The Tymoshenko bloc has accepted union with the Regions Party and the communists. The basis of this formation is not Ukrainian – I underline, not Ukrainian,” he said. “Citizens will see that [their] policies will not protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, its independence and its course of European integration.”

Ms Tymoshenko rejected Mr Yushchenko’s allegations. “The president and his office have used every means to ruin the coalition,” she said. “It is a pity that the president is behaving irresponsibly. The coalition split yesterday on his own decision.”