Blue &Yellow: Politics and Economics in Ukraine

The days are running short and with it a chance to form a new coalition. Kyiv Post reports that Yushchenko has given parties until October 7th to form a new coalition. Speaker of the Rada is reported to have ”expressed doubts that such a coalition could be formed by the president’s deadline."

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko threatened on Saturday to call a snap parliamentary election in a few days if a governing coalition is not formed.

Yushchenko made no call however for the coalition of his party and the bloc of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to reunite, after the premier said she met all the conditions to restore to the team linked to the 2004 Orange Revolution.

However, this tough stance is not very credible considering that the presidential party Nasha Ukraina may not do well if snap elections are held. Low approval ratings for the president will probably translate into low support for the party in new elections. There is also no sign that the alternative pro-presidential party United Center will be successful in a new election. Though, the party may just be serving as a dummy party to lure support away from BYuT and Regions.