Blue &Yellow: Politics and Economics in Ukraine

"Today the Constitutional Court issued a ruling recognizing the constitutionality of the creation of the parliamentary coalition. So now I can say with confidence that there's effective and agreed work in the government team in Ukraine. And this chain - the president, the government and the parliamentary coalition - will work effectively," he said.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych commenting on the Constitutional Court decision on constitutionality  of the parliamentary coalition. Actually, concerning how Regions created its current coalition. The president, naturally, applauded a decision that confirms the coalition led by his party. The Razumkov Centre's statement on the decision has several salient point on this issues. Here is one key excerpt from the statement, emphasis mine. 

Thirdly, it is known that the creation of the parliamentary coalition “Stability and Reforms” and the formation of a new Cabinet of Ministers were publicly justified by high-ranking public officials, members of the Party of the Regions and other political forms which made up the coalition as being necessary to stabilize the situation in the country. This can be deemed indirect political pressure on the Constitutional Court.

Yes, the coalition's creation was questionable from its inception, but the need to get on with governing appears to override lawfulness. However, it fits into recent behavior by Regions to use the Rada for its own ends.The Constitutional Court has been susceptible to political pressure and this time the pressure must have been immense. Either the court confirms the legitimacy of the coalition or else be blamed for any resulting "instability". Yet, as the Razumokov Centre notes the decision could have serious ramifications for the country. 

The Constitutional Court has effectively legitimized the possibility of radical change in the position of National Deputies in the ratio “government – opposition”, regardless of the political forces whose lists they were voted in on. This renders meaningless the will of citizens as expressed at the elections through support of political parties (blocs) and their pre-election programmes