2007 Ukrainian political crisis
The political crisis in Ukraine lasted from April to June 2007 was part of political stand off between coalition and opposition factions of Verkhovna Rada that led to the unscheduled Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007. It started on 2 April 2007 as a culmination of long lasting crisis and degradation of the parliamentary coalition when the President of Ukraine (Viktor Yushchenko) attempted to dissolve the parliament. The following day, in light of impending political unrest, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Francis Martin O'Donnell following an earlier call to deepen democracy and liberalize the economy , exceptionally issued an advisory statement of principles on behalf of the Country Team (followed by a visit by former Estonian President Arnold Rüütel on 23 April ).
The president signed a presidential decree based on several articles of the Constitution of Ukraine ordering early parliamentary elections in Ukraine to be held on 27 May 2007,[1] though they were later postponed to 24 June 2007.[2] He also ordered the government of Ukraine to finance the appointed elections. The Parliament and the government of Yanukovych called this decree unconstitutional and prevented fund allocation for elections. An appeal against the President's decree was lodged in Ukraine's Constitutional Court, which was considering the appeal.[3] The Constitutional Court was expected to conclude its public hearing on Wednesday, 25 April 2007, following the presentation of the Government and Parliament's submission. The Court would then retire to consider their ruling.[4]
Viktor Yushchenko suspended the decree and postponed date of the election in order to have approved legislation on elections, the opposition, and the operation of Parliament.[5]
Dismissal of parliament and new elections
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Ukraine |
Executive |
|
|
Leading up to the dissolution of parliament was the eight-month power struggle between the president and the parliament.[6] Ongoing power struggles between the Coalition of National Unity and the opposition supported by the president Viktor Yushchenko frequently resulted in the opposition boycotting the parliament's plenary sessions.
Prior to the President's 2 April decree dismissing Ukraine's Parliament, 11 members of the opposition supported the governing Coalition of National Unity (formerly the Anti-Crisis Coalition). The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, claimed that the right of individual members of a parliamentary faction to support the governing coalition was contrary to the provisions of Ukraine's Constitution.
Article 83 clause six, in what is commonly referred to as the Imperative mandate stated "According to election results and on the basis of a common ground achieved between various political positions, a coalition of parliamentary factions shall be formed in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to include a majority of People’s Deputies of Ukraine within the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine".[7]
The "Imperative mandate" provision of Ukraine's Constitution came under strong criticism by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as being undemocratic.[8] The Parliamentary Assembly in its Explanatory memorandum dated 17 April 2007 had emphasized
“ | Although Ukraine understandably has its own historic reasons to avoid the accumulation of power into the hands of one political force, it should nevertheless consider in the course of future constitutional amendments whether it would not be better for the country to switch to a full parliamentary system with proper checks and balances and guarantees of parliamentary opposition and competition. | ” |
The week before the president's initial decree, on 2 April, dismissing Ukraine's Parliament, thousands of supporters of the opposition gathered in Kiev, calling on the President dissolve the parliament. A similar number of supporters of Verkhovna Rada Governing majority also gathered in Kiev supporting Ukraine's parliament.[9]
On 2 April, the President, Viktor Yushchenko, following a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Speaker of the Parliament Oleksandr Moroz, signed the first decree dismissing Ukraine's Parliament sparking another political and constitutional crisis in Ukraine.
At 11 PM the President, in a televised speech to the nation, announced his decree dismissing the parliament and ordering early parliamentary elections to be initially held on 27 May.[6][10] The Rada, passed a motion declaring the decree unconstitutional, in defiance of the president's decree continued to function,[11] issued orders preventing funds allocation for elections,[12] and canceled the order assigning election commission members.[13] The cabinet, supporting the parliament, refused to allocate funds for the new election.[14]
The legality and authority of the President's determination to dismiss Ukraine's previous parliament has been the subject of a challenge in Ukraine's Constitutional Court.
On 30 April 2007 On the eve of the Court’s ruling on the legality of the President's decrees, Viktor Yushcheko intervened in the operation and independence of Ukraine's Constitutional Court by dismissing three Constitutional Court judges. The President's actions were later determined by Ukrainian courts of have been illegal and one of the judges dismissed has been reinstated; the other two judges resigned. Following the President's intervention the Constitutional Court has not ruled on the legality of the previous parliament's dismissal.
In a separate issue, some politicians have claimed that identification cards for voting changed hands,[15] as many deputies do not attend parliament in violation of Article 84 of the Constitution.[16]
The Central Election Commission has estimated direct costs of the elections to be at about 340 million UAH ($67 million, £34 million).[17][18] Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the parliamentary opposition, commented on the issue of costs:[19]
“ | If the mafia is allowed to continue ruling the country, Ukraine will lose tens of billions of dollars, because Ukraine is being robbed today. | ” |
Political crisis
The Constitutional Court of Ukraine is examining an inquiry submitted by a group of 53 members of parliament who question the constitutional legitimacy of the parliament's dissolution. This inquiry is based on interpretation that the President had no authority under Ukraine's constitution to dissolve parliament under the conditions listed in Article 90[20] of the Constitution of Ukraine.[11] which is the only article in Ukraine's Constitution that empowers the President to dismiss Ukraine's Parliament.[21] Instead, the decree mentions Articles 5, 69, 77, 83, 102, and 106.[1]
On 4 April, Ivan Dombrovskyy, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, filed for resignation, stating that he is under pressure. However, the judges rejected it.
On 5 April, Yanukovych has announced that during telephone conversation asked the Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer to mediate in the dispute.[22] There was no immediate response from Gusenbauer's office, and Austrian diplomats were surprised by the news about his help request.[23]
On 6 April, the Alliance of National Unity tried to compromise by dismissing the individuals from opposition fractions who had joined them and ratifying a parliamentary law banning individual membership in coalitions.[24]
Four members of Central Election Commission - Yuriy Donchenko, Ihor Kachur, Bronislav Raykovskyy, and Oleksandr Chupakhin (reportedly affiliated with the Anti-Crisis Coalition) took sickness leave - thus effectively blocked work of commission as there is no quorum.[25]
As of 6 April in Constitutional Court, there are constitutional legitimacy questions from the President on an order of the Cabinet Ministers supporting the Verkhovna Rada and from 102 deputies on changes done to constitution in 2004.[26]
On 7 April, Feodosiya city court has canceled own order from 5 April that originally disallowed to start elections.[27] Vladimir Kolesnichenko, a spokesperson for the Party of Regions has said that this court ruling is a fake and that the elections are still banned.[28]
On 9 April, the Rada has passed a declaration, stating:[29]
“ | Via his entourage and the political circles he relies on, the President of Ukraine interferes with the activities of legislators, brings pressure on judges of Constitutional Court and other courts, since in the legal dimension he does not have any chance to defend his unconstitutional decree. | ” |
Furthermore, the Rada called upon the heads of European states, governments, and parliaments to send its representatives to mediate the political crisis.
Ukraine's parliament on 9 April, raising the stakes in the country's ongoing political confrontation, stated [30] that it would only support early parliamentary elections a presidential vote is held at the same time.
On 10 April, a Luhansk municipal courts' ruling, dated 6 April, banning all preparations for the election was publicly announced. The ruling was a response to an inquiry, submitted by Vladimir Ivanov, a Party of Regions member of parliament. Reportedly, this ruling was canceled.[31] Ivanov has attempted to use labor laws in order to keep his deputy mandate:[32]
“ | I have concluded the employment contract for fixed term, and the President’s decree leaves me and my colleagues without work. This is roughest violation of the labor laws. | ” |
Five Constitutional Court judges (Dmytro Lelak, Volodymyr Kampo, Viktor Shyshkin, Petro Stetsyuk, Yaroslava Machuzhak), three of whom were appointed under the presidential quota, refused to participate in review of president order unless they will be given protection by law enforcement. They noted that "certain political forces, acting through their representatives, publicly apply rude pressure on the individual judges and on the Constitutional Court as a whole." [33]
On 12–13 April, both Yanukovych and Yushchenko agreed to abide by the Court's ruling, regardless of its verdict.[34][35] Furthermore, Yanukovych stated he might agree to parliamentary elections, if the other parties would also agree to participate, even if the Court rules in favor of the Rada.[36]
On 17 April, Ukraine's Constitutional Court, with all 18 judges in attendance, decided to study the appeal against the President's decree non-stop until a final ruling is passed. 11 out of 18 Judges passed this decision.
Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko described a Constitutional Court decision to review the President's decree dissolving parliament as "a farce," and urged the president to recall the judges appointed on his quota.[37]
The Court has yet to make its decision on the appeal, and is scheduled to announce it on 27 April.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych address Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly stating that the coalition of the majority in Ukraine biggest concern is not that of elections, but the choice between whether Ukraine will be a state ruled by law and all of the emerging problems will be resolved in courts, or on the streets.[38]
Although 17 April was the deadline under established law to submit documents to the Central Election Commission for the registration of party lists, no political force has done so.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
On 19 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held an emergency session to consider issues related to Ukraine's current political crisis. The Assembly passed a resolution calling on all parties to disputation to respect the decision of Ukraine's Constitutional Court whilst criticizing Ukraine's Constitution Imperative mandate provisions.[39][40]
Parliamentary Assembly rapporteurs on Ukraine - Hanne Severinsen and Renate Wohlwend commented:[41]
“ | The ruling of Ukraine’s Constitutional Court in the current crisis, if delivered, should be accepted as binding by all sides, the Parliamentary Assembly said in a resolution adopted on 19 April at the end of an urgent debate attended by Ukraine’s Parliamentary Speaker Oleksandr Moroz. However, the Assembly also warned that pressure in any form on the judges of the Court was intolerable, and should be investigated and criminally prosecuted. | ” |
The "imperative mandate" provision of Ukraine's Constitution came under strong criticism by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as being undemocratic.[8] The Parliamentary Assembly in its Explanatory memorandum had emphasized
“ | Although Ukraine understandably has its own historic reasons to avoid the accumulation of power into the hands of one political force, it should nevertheless consider in the course of future constitutional amendments whether it would not be better for the country to switch to a full parliamentary system with proper checks and balances and guarantees of parliamentary opposition and competition. | ” |
Opposition Members First Resignations
On 20 April, leaders of Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko and Our Ukraine have declared that about 150 deputy members of Our Ukraine and Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko have resigned from Ukraine's parliament, as result it claimed that the parliament will be no longer able to operate constitutionally per Article 82.[42] Their resignations have been submitted to Vikor Yushchenko, Ukraine's President, who has accepted their resignation.[43]
Dmitry Vydrin from the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT), has declared that he had not written an application on abdication, as nobody has not made this request. According to him, “there are three reasons” why he did not give his mandate, reports Delo. “At first, nobody addressed to me with my proposal. Nobody phoned me and told me to write down this application. So how could I write it?” declared the deputy.[44][45]
Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Poland's former President, believes that Ukraine must find a political compromise and solution to the current political crisis facing Ukraine. When asked who is to blame he responded:[46]
“ | Unfortunately, the time after the Orange Revolution was wasted away. President Yushchenko, [the former] Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, advisers like Petro Poroshenko are all to blame. They should have helped building a strong orange bloc, for the sake of modernization and Westernization of Ukraine. | ” |
On 25 April, Viktor Yushchenko announced that he has rescheduled the early parliamentary elections to 24 June.[47] On 30 April, the Rada passed a motion calling for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on 9 December 2007.[48] After negotiations on 4 May, Yanukovych and Yushchenko finally agreed to hold elections in autumn (without specifying a date).[49]
Dismissal of Constitutional Court judges and Prosecutor General
Constitutional Court
The authority of the President to dismiss Ukraine's parliament was challenged in Ukraine's Constitutional Court amidst concern that the President's actions were unconstitutional in that he had exceeded his authority to dismiss Ukraine's parliament.[50]
An appeal against each of the president's decrees was lodged in the Constitutional Court.
- On 19 April the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe passed a resolution in consideration of a report titled Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine. (Items 13 and 14) [51] stated:
“ | The Assembly deplores the fact that the judicial system of Ukraine has been systematically misused by other branches of power and that top officials do not execute the courts’ decisions, which is a sign of erosion of this crucial democratic institution. An independent and impartial judiciary is a precondition for the existence of a democratic society governed by the rule of law. Hence the urgent necessity to carry out comprehensive judicial reform, including through amendments to the constitution.
The Assembly reiterates that the authority of the sole body responsible for constitutional justice – the Constitutional Court of Ukraine – should be guaranteed and respected. Any form of pressure on the judges is intolerable and should be investigated and criminally prosecuted. On the other hand, it is regrettable that in the eight months of its new full composition, the Constitutional Court has failed to produce judgments, thus failing to fulfill its constitutional role and to contribute to resolving the crisis in its earlier stages, which undermines the credibility of the court. There is an urgent need for all pending judgments, and in particular the judgment concerning the constitutionality of the Presidential Decree of 2 April 2007, to be delivered. If delivered, the latter should be accepted as binding by all sides. |
” |
The associated explanatory report under the sub-heading of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - Resolution 1549 (2007) Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine expressed concern that
“ | "Several local courts have made decisions to suspend the Presidential Decree only to then withdraw them, allegedly under pressure from the presidential secretariat." (item 67) | ” |
In emphasis the report (item 68) stated
“ | This is a worrying tendency of legal nihilism that should not be tolerated. It is as clear as day that in a state governed by the rule of law judicial mistakes should be corrected through appeal procedures and not through threats or disciplinary sanctions | ” |
- On 30 April, on the eve of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the legality of the president's decree dismissing Ukraine's parliament, President Yushchenko, in defiance of the PACE resolution of 19 April intervened in the operation of Ukraine's Constitutional Court by summarily dismissing two Constitutional Court Judges, Syuzanna Stanik and Valeriy Pshenychnyy, for allegations of "oath treason."[52] His move was later overturned by the Constitutional Court and the judges were returned by a temporary restraining order issued by the court.[53]
- On 16 May,Viktor Yushchenko, for a second time, issued another decree dismissing the two Constitutional Court Judges Syuzanna Stanik and Valeriy Pshenychnyy.[54]
- On 17 May, the Constitutional Court Chairman Ivan Dombrovskyy resigned and Valeriy Pshenychnyy was appointed chairman in replacement.
- On 23 May, The Constitutional Court of Ukraine acted to prevent the president's undue influence on the court system.[55] The court's ruling was made after Viktor Yushchenko unduly sought to influence the court by illegally dismissing two Constitutional Court judges Valeriy Pshenychnyy and Syuzanna Stanik for allegations of "oath treason."[52]
Pursuant to Article 149 of Ukraine's Constitution Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine are subject to the guarantees of independence and immunity and to the grounds for dismissal from office envisaged by Article 126, and the requirements concerning incompatibility as determined in Article 127, paragraph two of Ukraine's Constitution
- On 20 July Susanna Stanik won an appeal against the President in the Shevchenko district court of Kiev. The Court ruled the President's actions illegal and reinstated Ms Stanik's entitlement as a member of Ukraine's Constitutional Court. According to the ruling, the President is obliged to cancel his decree on discharge of Mrs. Stanik."[56] The other two judges who were also illegally dismissed had previously tendered their resignations and as such were not subject to the courts order.
Following the president's intervention the Constitutional Court still has not ruled on the question of legality of the president's actions.
Stepan Havrysh, the President's appointee to the Constitutional Court, in prejudgment of the court's decision and without authorization from the Court itself, commented in an interview published on 24 July
“ | I cannot imagine myself as the Constitutional Court in condition in which three political leaders signed a political/legal agreement on holding early elections, which also stipulates the constitutional basis for holding the elections... How the court can agree to consider such a petition under such conditions.[57] | ” |
Oleksandr Lavrynovych, Ukrainian Minister for Justice, in an interview published on 3 August is quoted as saying
“ | According to the standards of the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine, these elections should have been recognized invalid already today. But we understand that we speak about the State and about what will happen further in this country. As we've understood, political agreements substitute for the law, ... The situation has been led to the limit, where there are no possibilities to follow all legal norms.[58] | ” |
- On 25 March 2008 Ukraine's Supreme Administrative Court ruled the President's dismissal of Suzanna Stanik as a Constitutional Court judge illegal. Ms Stanik's position has been reinstated. The decision is final and not subject to further appeal [59]
Prosecutor General
On 24 May, Yushchenko fired the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Svyatoslav Piskun, who was appointed by Yushchenko himself on 26 April, after Piskun refused to resign his place in the Verkhovna Rada as was required by the Ukrainian law, so as to not hold two positions at the same time. Yushchenko cited Constitution Article 78 which states "Where there emerge circumstances infringing requirements concerning the incompatibility of the deputy’s mandate with other types of activity, the People’s Deputy of Ukraine shall within twenty days from the date of the emergence of such circumstances discontinue such activity or lodge a personal application for divesting of People’s Deputy authority" and Item 1 of Article 3 of Law № 2783-IV[60] when issuing his decree on the dismissal of the Prosecutor General.[61] The President appointed Viktor Shemchuk, the Prosecutor General of Crimea, as a replacement to Svyatoslav Piskun.[62] After Piskun's dismissal, thousands of protesters marched to his office in Kiev protesting his dismissal. Piskun, accompanied by several deputies from the Party of Regions, tried to enter his office in Kiev, however, were prevented from doing so by the Members of the State Protection Department, with Valeriy Heletiy at their lead.[62] Valeriy Heletiy and the deputies were later joined by the Communist Party leader Petro Symonenko and supporters of the Party of Regions.[62] The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Vasyl Tsushko, ordered Ukraine's Berkut riot police to surround the building, defying Yushchenko's order for the Ukrainian security services not to get involved in the political conflict.[63] Tsushko responded to Yushchenko's dismissal of Piskun as a "coup d'état."[62]
On 25 May, Viktor Yushchenko ordered a decree,[64] taking control over 40,000 interior ministry troops.[65] Meanwhile, the troops were acting on orders of the Interior Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Tsushko, who was charged with abuse of office on 25 May.[66]
On 26 May, thousands of Interior Ministry troops moved towards Ukraine's capital Kiev on the President's orders.[67] The troops were only lightly armed with riot gear and no lethal weapons. On their way to Kiev, the troops were stopped by Ukrainian Traffic Police.[68] Deputy Interior Minister Mykhailo Kornienko stated that about 2,050 troops from 13 out of 25 of Ukrainian oblasts were deployed.[67] According to the Vice Commander of the Interior Ministry troops Mykola Mishakin, about 3,480 troops were deployed near Kiev.[69] Since their entrance into the capital was blocked by Berkut and the Government Automobile Inspection, the Interior Ministry troops would walk to Kiev.[69] Mykola Mishakin stated:[69]
“ | We will be here as long as it takes so that bloodshed will not occur... and where ever it takes so that there will be no use of force, and to give the politicians a chance to resolve their problems in a peaceful and human way. | ” |
After over seven hours of discussions, Yushchenko, Yanukovych, and the Verkhovna Rada Speaker have come to an agreement by setting the date for new parliamentary elections on 30 September 2007.[70]
After coming to a compromise on an election date, the Verkhovna Rada was given two days to accept the new elections and legally prepare for them.[71] The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a bill that would allow funding for the early parliamentary elections,[72] and the Rada approved the necessary laws on 1 June 2007.[73] Yushchenko formally called the election on 5 June 2007, thus ending the political crisis.[74]
References
- 1 2 "The Decree of the President of Ukraine On the Pre-Term Abatement of Authorities of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine". 2 April 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukrainian president delays poll". BBC News. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ↑ "Yushchenko interference unconstitutional - Ukraine parl. speaker". RIAN. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine's CC to complete questioning on early elections in 2 days". ITAR-TASS. 21 April 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- ↑ "Yushchenko doesn't rule out postponement of elections". ITAR TASS. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- 1 2 "President dissolves parliament". Press office of President Victor Yushchenko. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
- ↑ Yushchenko, Viktor (4 April 2007). "Ukraine's crisis needs a firm response". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 6 May 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
- 1 2 "Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine". 17 April 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukrainian rivals rally in capital". bbc.co.uk. 1 April 2007. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
- ↑ "Yushchenko announces his dismissal of the Verkhovna Rada". 5 Kanal (in Ukrainian). YouTube. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- 1 2 "On prevention of actions that threaten constitutional law and order, civilian calmness and stability in Ukraine". Order of Verkhovna Rada (in Ukrainian). 2 April 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ↑ "About political situation in Ukraine, related to order or President from 2 April 2007". Order of Verkhovna Rada (in Ukrainian). 2 April 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ↑ "Cancel order of Verkhovna Rada about assignment of Central Election Commission members". Order of Verkhovna Rada (in Ukrainian). 2 April 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ↑ "About immediate actions on implementation of Verkhovna Rada order N 837-V". Order of Cabinet of Ministers (in Ukrainian). 3 April 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ↑ "Verhovna Rada become a bourse?" (in Russian). UNIAN. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ↑ Chuvokunya, Victor (27 October 2006). "Akhmetov. "Ukrainian Berluskoni", which does not present" (in Russian). Ukrayinska Pravda. Retrieved 6 April 2007. Story on how Akhmetov card was voting.
- ↑ "On unscheduled elections needed 340 millions hryvnias.- Y. Davydovych" (in Ukrainian). Kanal 5. 3 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007. Official rate UAH/USD = 5.05
- ↑ "On social-political situation and immediate actions on securing constitutional rights of Ukraine citizens". Decision of Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ↑ Holley, David; Sergei L. Loiko (4 April 2007). "Ukraine president presses early election, warns against violence". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
- ↑ "Constitution of Ukraine (with 2004 amendments)" (PDF). UNHCR. 8 December 2004. pp. 27–28. Retrieved 6 April 2007. Unofficial translation.
- ↑ Lavrynovych, Oleksandr. "Results of legal expertise of President order N 264 from 2 April 2007" (in Ukrainian). Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine PM asks Austria to help". BBC News. 5 April 2007. Archived from the original on 26 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ↑ Nedbayeva, Olga (6 April 2007). "Rival Ukraine leaders hold crisis talks as deadlock persists". Yahoo News. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukrainian parliament makes compromise with president". Xinhua. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
- ↑ Vycheslav Sirman; Mustafa Naiem (10 April 2007). "Listing clocks". Kommersant-Ukraine. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "Status of 72 questions asked" (DOC). Official Constitutional Court of Ukraine website (in Ukrainian). 6 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ↑ "Feodosiya city court cancel own decision from April 5. Documents copy". BYuT website (in Ukrainian). 7 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine's Regions Party says Feodossia court ruling a fake". ITAR TASS. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "To the Heads of States, Governments and Parliaments of the European countries, Guarantor-States of the security of Ukraine, inter-State and inter-Parliamentary organizations". Verkhovna Rada official website. 9 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "parliament calls for early presidential elections". IHT. 9 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
- ↑ "Lugansk court follow Feodosiya footsteps" (in Russian). UNIAN. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "Lugansk court was using labor law in order to ban election" (in Russian). Parallel-Media. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "Five Constitutional Court judges refuse to take part in considering President's decree". UNIAN. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
- ↑ "Yushchenko to agree to any Constitutional Court ruling". ITAR TASS. 12 April 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
- ↑ "Yanukovich ready for any constitutional court judgment". ITAR TASS. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine premier signals readiness for early polls". Gulf Times. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine opposition says Constitutional Court 'a farce'". RIAN. 17 April 2007. Archived from the original on 19 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ↑ "In Ukraine there no real grounds for a political crisis or early elections". ITAR-TASS. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
- ↑ "Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine -Resolution 1549 (2007)". Council of Europe. 19 April 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ↑ "Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine(Doc 11255)". Council of Europe. 19 April 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- ↑ "All sides should accept the ruling of Ukraine's Constitutional Court, says Parliamentary Assembly". Council of Europe. 19 April 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
- ↑ Kuzio, Taras (19 April 2007). "Our Ukraine and Viktor Yushchenko revive their fortunes". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- ↑ "Yushchenko approved opposition people's deputies resignation". for-ua. 20 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
- ↑ "Conflict in BYT! Tymoshenko is to Make Choice". MigNews. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ↑ Vydrin, Dmitry (18 April 2007). "It was told holops to withdrew their mandates. I am also obedient, even though I'm a truthful holop myself." (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 21 April 2007.
- ↑ "Kwasniewski unveils Yushchenko's proposal to Yanukovych". Kyiv Weekly. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine delays parliamentary poll". ABC News Online. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine parliament sets own election date, Yushchenko stands firm". Monsters and Critics. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine rivals agree early poll". BBC News. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
- ↑ "Legal Opinion with regard to the results of legal examination of Decree of the President of Ukraine dated April, 2 the year 2007 N 264 "On pre-term abatement of authority of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine"" (DOC). Ministry of Justice Ukraine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
- ↑ PACE (19 April 2007). "Functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine". Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- 1 2 "Yushchenko dismissed CCU judges". for-ua. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2006.
- ↑ "Stanik and Pshenychnyy returned to CC". Korrespondent. 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- ↑ "Stanik and Pshenychnyy again became ex-judges of Constitutional Court". Korrespondent. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2006.
- ↑ "Constitutional Court of Ukraine restricts president's influence on courts". Ukrainian National Radio. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
- ↑ "Stanik Back Into the CC". Retrieved 20 July 2006.
- ↑ "Constitutional Court Judge Havrysh Doubts Constitutional Court Will Consider Petition On Constitutionality Of September 30 Rada Elections". Ukrainian News agency. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
- ↑ "Lavrynovych: Early elections should have been already recognized invalid today". Inter-Media, ForUm. 3 August 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
- ↑ "Supreme Court Restores Stanik As Constitutional Court Judge". Ukrainian News agency. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
- ↑ Laws of Ukraine. Presidential Decree No. 357/2007: On peculiarities of firing the persons who combine deputy mandate with other types of activity. Adopted on 8 July 2005. (Ukrainian)
- ↑ "President comments on Piskun's sacking". President of Ukraine. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- 1 2 3 4 "Ukrainian State in Meltdown". Kommersant. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine's Yushchenko tells police,military to stay out of politics". ITAR-TASS. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
- ↑ "On the system of control of the interior ministry troops with the Constitution of Ukraine". President of Ukraine. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine leaders spar over troops". BBC News. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine's Ukrainian interior minister charged with abuse of office". ITAR-TASS. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- 1 2 "Ukraine's Interior Ministry Troops Moving Toward Kiev". Bloomberg. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine rivals hold talks, troops deployed to Kiev". Boston Globe. 26 May 2007. Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- 1 2 3 "Interior Ministry troops walk to Kiev. They have no lethal weapons." (in Russian). Korrespondent. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- ↑ "Results of Yushchenko's meeting: new parliamentary elections will be held on September 30" (in Russian). Korrespondent. 27 May 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukraine constitutional crisis continues". Press TV. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukrainian early election funding endorsed". United Press International. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ukrainian MPs approve snap poll". BBC News. 1 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ↑ Ukrainian President Formally Sets Early-Election Date - RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY
External links
Wikinews has related news: Yushchenko calls early elections in Ukraine |
- BBC news — Ukraine leader calls early poll
- Council of Europe — resolution on Ukrainian Crisis
- Council of Europe — Explanatory memorandum
- Council of Europe — Venice Commission:Ukraine