President initiates political roundtable

In a Saturday radio address, Victor Yushchenko initiated a political roundtable involving all parliamentarians to discuss ways to settle the current parliamentary crisis, President's press office reported.

The President reiterated that the Constitution clearly determined terms to form the majority and government, which should take responsibility for introducing social and economic reforms.

“The country is facing this year’s sowing campaign and budget debates. The energy issue is also on our agenda. All politicians, including those in the cabinet and parliamentary committees, are responsible for resolving these important and complicated problems,” he said.

Yushchenko said he expected the coalition to formally nominate prime minister he could then submit to parliament for a vote.

The Head of State accused deputies of the Verkhovna Rada and particularly those blockading the parliament of having not convened the constitutional court and impeding the country’s progress.  

“Unfortunately, the Verkhovna Rada starts its work in confrontation leading to a serious parliamentary crisis,” Yushchenko said.

As guarantor of the Constitution, the President demanded that both the majority and opposition should respect the law.

“It is unacceptable to act in ways that can be later used to question the legitimacy of Ukraine’s future speaker and government,” the President reiterated.