Premier Steps Down. No Premier Saga To Follow?

Verkhovna Rada bade farewell last Tuesday to Valery Pustovoitenko, the longest surviving Premier during independence. He delivered a program speech, the gist of which was that a number of important reforms have been started that must be accomplished by all means possible. “A million jobs will be created and administrative reform carried out, granting the regions extended rights; favorable conditions will be created for investment; and effective reforms will be effected in the agro-industrial complex.” Parliamentary observers immediately noticed the tone of his presentation, lacking confidence, and the absence of new ideas. Mr. Pustovoitenko seemed to be playing a role, knowing the sad finale and thus showing little enthusiasm. This impression was confirmed by the fact that no pressing questions followed, just as no one lashed out at his Cabinet’s policy. Instead, Oleksandr Yeliashkevych took the floor and was markedly straightforward, noting that the presidentially controlled 1+1 television channel had urged the Premier to “resign and not to let the President suffer the consequences” if he did not. Mr. Yeliashkevych stressed that, should the lawmakers vote down his candidacy, it would mean that the oligarchic clans were at each other’s throat for the Premier’s seat.

All the factions that had promised Valery Pustovoitenko their support kept their word. Their people spoke, mostly saying that now is not the time for experimentation. And then the President took the floor, confirming his proposal to keep Mr. Pustovoitenko’s as Premier and calling on Verkhovna Rada to second it. Yet old-time People’s Deputies, remembering Soviet political games, were surprised to notice the leaders of certain factions instructing them to vote against after speaking from the podium in his support.

In the end, 206 of 421 legislators in attendance voted in favor. And after Speaker Tkachenko announced that “cadre issues are not deliberated twice,” everyone understood that Premier Pustovoitenko’s political career was over.

(For more see page Day after Day)