Orange coalition finally created
Yatseniuk to be parliamentary speaker
We have waited for this event for two months. Finally, the BYuT and NU-NS have come up with a democratic coalition. The compromise was Kyrylenko as parliamentary speaker, but early in the morning, Nov. 29, it became known that he has refused to accept the post, and the Verkhovna Rada’s grapevine almost instantly announced that Arsenii Yatseniuk will be speaker, and that his candidature was proposed personally by President Viktor Yushchenko.
Now it is possible to say that a new feature has appeared in Ukrainian politics: if they cannot reach a compromise in regard to an important post, Yatseniuk’s candidature will be proposed sooner or later. This time it looked even symbolic, with the president submitting a proposal, but with no candidate (Yatseniuk was in Spain at the time). The president’s decision may have well taken him completely unawares.
In principle, Viktor Yushchenko’s reasons for this candidature are understandable. Yatseniuk is on friendly terms with everybody, including the Party of Regions and the BYuT. It is possible that some of the Regionals will vote for him. Another important aspect is that, unlike Kyrylenko, he is not going to play an independent game.
BYuT leader Yulia Tymoshenko told journalists that everyone will vote for Yatseniuk on Tuesday. Incidentally, her appearance caused another sensation. She was beautifully dressed in a Louis Vuitton outfit but was not wearing a braid, just a ponytail.
Her comrade in arms Hryhorii Nemyria made no attempt to conceal his disappointment: “I can tell you that I hold Viacheslav Kyrylenko in high esteem. This uncorrupt politician has parliamentary experience, but I also realize that under the coalition agreement it is the NU-NS’s right to submit this candidature.”
At noon, after the recess, Roman Zvarych, chairman of the ad hoc presidium, made the following statement: “In accordance with the Standing Orders of Ukraine, I announce that on Nov. 29, 2007, the BYuT and NU-NS...established a coalition of factions in parliament, a coalition of democratic forces in the Sixth Verkhovna Rada.”
This agreement was signed by 227 MPs. The only missing signature is that of Ivan Pliushch’s. He remains a champion of a grand coalition. Yurii Lutsenko mildly pointed out: “We hope that Ivan Pliushch will make up his mind soon. We will be happy to accept him as a member of the majority. If he doesn’t join it, he will probably find no place in a faction that has responsibilities toward the electorate.”
After proclaiming the coalition, Zvarych adjourned the session until Tuesday. Now the main thing is for the coalition members’ moods not to change. Tuesday is likely to mark a crucial date for the Orange coalition: signing and pressing the yea button are different things. Here all past misunderstandings and hurt feelings may surface. Also, an MP may be late for the vote because he’s eating lunch in the VR cafeteria, and the voting will not produce any results.
