Cabinet Dismissal

Thus, despite the decisiveness of the Communists, whose leader Petro Symonenko informed The Day that the government report initiated by the Communist faction will be heard not later than this April, it is difficult to forecast the further development of the situation. Natalia Vitrenko is certain that "the government will not fall. The situation repeats itself: Symonenko and Moroz threaten but suggest nothing. I am so bored with their provocations, that I openly told them: 'Propose me! I'm not afraid. I'll take responsibility, and lead the government tomorrow.' However, they won't propose not only me, but anybody."

Oleksandr Moroz has this to say: "We have initiated the dismissal, but presently I am being cautious, for now it is the President who is most interested in the government's dismissal. Thus, let him solve this issue the way he has planned, and not using the hands of Verkhovna Rada."

Oleksandr Volkov, a representative of the Revival of the Regions faction, believes "the situation has not ripened yet, it is too early," and justifies this by citing the fact that "everyone is for dismissal, but no one has proposed either a new Premier or composition of the government, so we need additional consultations." Kostenko's Rukh is ready for such consultations: "There is no Left majority in Verkhovna Rada, there is a constructive majority. And we suggest that it be used as a basis to form a new government." Also calling for a coalition government is Valery Babych (Batkivshchyna {Fatherland}): "Our faction has discussed this issue, and we are ready." Hromada's attitude is also rather understandable. Only Borys Andresiuk (united Social Democrats) has given no answer, referring to the lack of decision within his faction. Which is also quite telling.

This is why a source close to the Cabinet remarked sadly, "In terms of Verkhovna Rada structure, the number of votes one would get for the government's dismissal would surprise many. However, there is the problem of wanting to get rid of the government, and a problem of capability and organization." The intentions of the initiators of the latest threat to Mr. Pustovoitenko, the Communists, might this time not have been wrong for the reason having a very implicit relation to the current economic situation. There is hope among the Left that the Premier, bereft of his post, will still not give up and run for President himself, that is, against Leonid Kuchma. Interestingly, part of the NDP cherishes the same hope: Pustovoitenko, relieved from his Premier's post, will, in his turn, objectively free the party from any obligations to the President, the NDP will have its own candidate, and a good chance to remain a political force.

But then it is possible that the Greens' Vitaly Kononov will be right: "The political brawl over the government is like a big cloud: there will be some thunder, but little rain."