Once again, the Verkhovna Rada holds the key to resolution of the crisis

On February 4, MPs will get another opportunity to resolve the current national crisis. Previous attempts of minority factions to reduce tensions in society through a parliamentary action ended in failure and new escalation of the conflict. However, this time the opposition members hope that the Tuesday session of the Verkhovna Rada will result in decisions that will satisfy the Independence Square protesters and the public at large. The West has already expressed its solidarity with their demands.

At the Munich Security Conference, foreign diplomats made a public offer of a way out of the crisis for Ukraine. Its main provisions, including return to the Constitution of 2004, a new Cabinet and the release of all detained activists, satisfy the opposition and most protesters alike.

However, when recalling how the Constitution was amended in 2004, the experts say it was not a clean affair. Return to the Constitution of 1996 was not either. For some reason, it turns out that once we have a political crisis or government change, politicians immediately try to remake the constitution to suit the needs of specific situation or persons.

Still, we have no answer yet to the main question – whether the authorities would agree to forced concessions. Moreover, not only the opposition, but most Regionnaires, too, are in the dark on it.

“I will learn the stance of the Party of Regions regarding the parliamentary minority’s demands only at the faction’s morning meeting on February 4,” the Party of Regions MP Dmytro Shpenov told The Day. “As a lawyer I can say that a parliamentary vote for the return of the Constitution of 2004 would be a case of total legal nihilism, a brazen breach of legislation which is in effect now. With regard to the amnesty law, it can be amended via an ad hoc vote, but it will need the Party of Regions’ support. All the criticism notwithstanding, we still have a firm majority in the house. We will demonstrate it once again on February 4,” the MP assured.