Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko Tuesday signed a decree to
set early parliamentary elections for Sept. 30, wrapping up a
months-long political crisis that came close to turning
violent.
According to the decree, a newly-installed 15-member Central
Election Commission will be responsible for election preparations,
as well as for ensuring the smooth proceedings of election
campaigns which are expected to begin 60 days before the poll.
The cabinet will offer funds for the poll, for which the
country's parliament has already allocated 365 million hryvnias
(about US$73 million).
Ukraine's political turmoil began in April when Yushchenko
signed decrees to dissolve parliament and call for early elections.
Yanukovich rejected the act, saying it was unconstitutional.
Tension escalated after Yushchenko sacked several judges of the
constitutional court when they began legal proceedings on the
legitimacy of the presidential order to dissolve parliament.
Later on, Yushchenko claimed direct command of the Interior
Ministry troops, a gesture heavily criticized by supporters of
Yanukovich as "anti-constitutional."
On May 27, Yushchenko and Yanukovich agreed to hold early
elections after a one-day meeting.
( Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2007)
