Blue &Yellow: Politics and Economics in Ukraine

A bit more on the on going meetings between BYuT and PR. From EDM (V. 6, Issue 106), the changes to the constitution supported by the two sides.  The article discusses some of the details on constitutional reform that BYuT and PR want. 

Yanukovych's reluctance to accept the election of the president within parliament was reportedly the main stumbling block. The first indication that the PRU and the BYT might soon come to a final agreement appeared towards the end of May, when the PRU withdrew its demands for Tymoshenko to resign and Yanukovych admitted in a televised interview that talks with the BYT had proceeded without interruption (Inter TV, May 24). On June 1, several Ukrainian newspapers quoted their sources within both camps as saying that Yanukovych and Tymoshenko at their meetings on May 30-31 agreed on a plan to change the constitution and form an alliance (Segodnya, Ukrainska Pravda, Ekonomicheskie Izvestia, June 1).

On June 2 Ukrainska Pravda published the details of the agreement:

1. The constitution will be changed to allow the president to be elected in parliament, and this could be Yanukovych (his election should be a formality as the PRU and BYT jointly control more than two-thirds of the parliament). 2. Presidential powers will be curtailed, but he will retain control over the Siloviki. 3. Tymoshenko will carry on as prime minister presiding over a cabinet consisting of representatives of the BYT, the PRU and possibly several more parties 4. The local self-government system will be reformed, enabling regional governors to be elected locally. 5. The party scoring the largest number of votes in a parliamentary election will control 226 seats in parliament, i.e. an overall majority. 6. The next parliamentary election will be held in 2014 rather than 2012 - this should convince hesitating deputies to support constitutional reform as they will be guaranteed two more years in parliament (Ukrainska Pravda, June 2).

Naturally, I find the change to the presidency the most interesting part since it eliminates an institution whose efficacy has been lacking. The Moldovan Parliament also elects the president, but not sure who else in the former Soviet Union uses this format besides them. (The Moldovan Parliament just failed to elect a new president after the last one, Voronin, termed out. The country now faces new elections.)                                                     

Keeping the president in the control of the security services is pointless if the president's powers are significantly curtailed by the Cabinet.  Why not turn the presidency into a ceremonial officer like Italy? Yes, I know this is probably a concession to Yanukovich who doesn't want a toothless presidency. While his election to the new presidency may be easy, the sides will not remain partners, how will this new format survive a breakdown in cooperation?