European Forum

New government formed in Ukraine

The new Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, quickly managed to consolidate his power by forming a government yesterday (11 March) immediately after the announcement of his new governing coalition in Parliament. His move comes after he ousted the country's Orange Revolution leaders in Presidential elections held on 17 January and 7 February respectively.

Controversial figure as PM
The new coalition is centred around Yanukovych's pro-Russian Party of Regions (PoR), which picked former Finance Minister Mykola Azarov for the post of Prime Minister. Parliament confirmed the appointment soon after. A controversial figure among liberal circles, the Russian-born Azarov is a top Yanukovych ally. He replaces former PM Yulia Tymoshenko, the Orange Revolution heroine who narrowly lost the bitter poll to Yanukovych in February.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Azarov said Ukraine's coffers are empty and that the situation in the country is "critical." "Our task is to provide the people with just and effective rule," he said. "We're speaking honestly about the situation in Ukraine and what we want to do about it." Parliament filled other top cabinet posts, approving nominations for the new Finance and Economics ministers.

Some had expected Yanukovych to pick one of two centrist politicians for Prime Minister, including former central banker Serhiy Tihipko. Yanukovych's onetime campaign manager, Tihipko placed a strong third in the first round of the Presidential election in January. Yanukovych has picked him to head economic policy as a Deputy Prime Minister.

Coalition of 'stability and reform'
The new government is taking shape after Tymoshenko's governing coalition fell apart in the first week of March, when some of its members defected. Consequently, Tymoshenko was ousted in a vote of no-confidence. One of the defected coalition members was Parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn. It was also Lytvyn who announced the formation of the new group in Parliament yesterday, calling it a coalition of "Stability and Reform." "The coalition has been formed on the basis of an agreement signed by heads of the factions of the Party of Regions, the Communist Party, the Lytvyn bloc and the People's Party," he said. The formation of the new coalition enables Yanukovych to avoid calling snap Parliamentary elections and helps him address his most pressing task of pulling Ukraine out of a devastating economic crisis.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Yefremov has become the leader of the PoR. This was announced by Member of Parliament (MP) Yaroslav Suhy. "Yesterday the faction unanimously supported Yefremov as the party's leader," he told media on 5 March. Earlier, Yefremov was deputy leader of the PoR.

Yanukovych’s comeback
Yanukovych is keen to restart talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which last year froze a .4 billion bailout. Yanukovych is also steering Ukraine back toward Russia after five years of pro-Western rule. The Kremlin openly campaigned for him in 2004, when his victory in a rigged Presidential election prompted the Orange Revolution that overturned the results and brought his rivals to power. After his remarkable comeback, Yanukovych indicated he would put an end to Ukraine's drive to join NATO, which infuriated the Kremlin, and renegotiate a gas supply deal with Moscow, which some believe would enable him to re-establish closer ties with Russia's Gazprom.

Tymoshenko to lead opposition
Tymoshenko said yesterday she would not quit politics and would lead the opposition to the government. "Unfortunately, there will be no time for me to take a rest," she said at a news conference. Tymoshenko also advised Yanukovych not to relax. "He will have to give an account to society every day for his unconstitutional actions," she said. Earlier, on 9 March, Tymoshenko was elected the leader of the "United Democratic Opposition." She urged the country's democratic forces to rally against Ukraine's new authorities.


Sources: Kyiv Post; RIA News; RFE/RL