Saturday, October 25, 2008

Parliamentary disease

On Wednesday, 23 October I went to the Parliament, which was supposed to start to work (after the mentioned above decision of President) and even to approve anti-crisis package of legislation (as for that date there were two main (different) projects of law on this issue: presented by President and Prime minister).
The day appeared to be not lucky at all – the Parliament didn’t start to work and I’ve caught flu.
My “parliamentary disease” didn’t last for a long time: today I’m practically back to the camp of healthy members of society. But the health of the Parliament of Ukraine is still in very bad condition. After its dismissal and then mysterious call back, the Parliament simply cannot start to work and to pass legislation. Ukraine is facing the worst economical crisis in its history, but who cares about that. Ukraine and its citizens became like a hostages of a current political turmoil.
One member of Parliament told me on Wednesday that it will be more correct to say that all the Ukrainian citizens and a country are the hostages of a fight between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. He mentioned also that we are witnessing not a start of parliamentary campaign for a snap election, but a start of a presidential campaign. I agree with this point of view.
As I predicted, the parliamentary crisis will not finish before I will override my flu. On Tuesday I am going to visit the Parliament again. Everything will be exactly like a week before: even with almost the same anti-crisis package in the agenda. And I am very sceptical concerning the result of that day. Ukrainian Parliamentary disease seems very difficult to cure.

4 comments:

Taras said...

Nice blog, Tetyana!

I discovered you via the comment you left at Global Voices. Get well soon!
But don't spend too much time in the Rada if you want to stay healthy:)

Anonymous said...

There is a cure and a way out of the mess created by Yushchenko

Yushchenko should resign (in disgrace but better then being defeated and leaving the country in disgrace). Yatseniuk takes over as Ukraine's head of state and worked toward reuniting the governing coalition.

Ukraine begins to seriously debate Constitutional reform and the adoption of a democratic parliamentary model of governance in line with other European states, separating the issue of representation from system of governance. (Representation and election models should be decided by legislation and not embedded into the constitution.)

Following the adoption of a new Constitutional model Ukraine holds fresh Parliamentary elections along with the appointment of a new head of state.

As long as Yushchenko remains in office Ukraine will continue to suffer.

Anonymous said...

Can you please add Hryhoriy Nemyria to your who's who blog. Thanks.

TT said...

Taras, thank you for your kind words.

Ukrtoday, very good idea (may I support it with a proposal to switch to majority vote on parliamentary elections), but unfortunately not realistic due to current political situation and some of characteristic features of President's personality. I'm sure you would agree with me.

Anonimous, thank you for your suggestion, as you may notice that second blog is in a process of building, so, there are just a few personalities I had time to add (they aren't even properly edited). But of course Mr. Hryhoriy Nemyria will be listed among the most influential politicians of Ukraine, especially taking to the account his active work on the international political stage.