President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko has made a statement on the recent events in the parliament. According to the President’s press-office, his statement reads as follows:
“Recent events in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine have produced much controversy. Numerous letters to the President indicate people’s discontent over lasting political intrigues in parliament and its inability to resume work, which shows that parliamentarians disrespect the constitution and neglect democratic principles of development, which were supported by their voters.
In this situation, I would like to clearly declare my position:
As guarantor of the Constitution, the President will ensure that the law is observed.
I will not accept any confrontational scenarios which can harm the people of Ukraine and undermine the country’s stability.
I impartially demand that parliamentary parties legitimately form a coalition.
Regardless of its format, I categorically insist that the country’s political majority should observe the principles of unity and implement the program of reforms supported by the people during the 2004 presidential election.
We must immediately stop provoking social confrontation. Both parliament and government must work responsibly.
I firmly state and believe that the current domestic and foreign course will not change. I expect this demand will be supported by the future coalition.
I would like to emphasize that the absence of the Constitutional Court negatively affects the country and ruins all our endeavors to restore political trust. The Constitution Court can evaluate the legitimacy of all the branches of government and its effective performance is a prerequisite of all legitimate decisions and measures.
Thus I find the following steps necessary:
- Formation of a coaliti3on and presentation of its program;
- Holding a swearing-in ceremony of the judges of the Constitutional Court;
- Appointment of Ukraine’s new prime minister whose government will systematically cooperate with parliament, following the patriotic course. “
