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Ukraine leader rethinks poll move | Ukraine leader rethinks poll move |
(10 minutes later) | |
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko is willing to suspend his decree dissolving parliament and ordering an early 27 May election, an aide says. | Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko is willing to suspend his decree dissolving parliament and ordering an early 27 May election, an aide says. |
Security adviser Vitaly Hayduk said Mr Yushchenko was prepared to let the rival members of parliament negotiate a new date for elections. | Security adviser Vitaly Hayduk said Mr Yushchenko was prepared to let the rival members of parliament negotiate a new date for elections. |
Mr Yushchenko has been locked in a long-running power struggle with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. | Mr Yushchenko has been locked in a long-running power struggle with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. |
Thousands of the two rivals' supporters are demonstrating in the capital Kiev. | Thousands of the two rivals' supporters are demonstrating in the capital Kiev. |
"The president does not rule out that the presidential decree can be suspended, not repealed but suspended, thus giving a chance to come up with a timetable which would give political forces a chance to get ready for the election process," Mr Hayduk said at a press conference on Wednesday. | |
Communists have been rallying for Viktor Yanukovych in Kiev | |
Mr Yushchenko dissolved parliament on 2 April, accusing Mr Yanukovych of usurping power by luring deputies into his bloc in parliament. Mr Yanukovych's bloc favours closer ties with Russia. | |
Mr Yanukovych, supported by a majority in parliament, opposed the president's move and took the matter to the constitutional court. | |
On Tuesday, judges from the court said they were unable to reach a decision because of political pressure and asked for police protection. | |
The rivalry between Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych dates back to the 2004 liberal Orange Revolution which swept Mr Yushchenko to power, overturning a Yanukovych election victory which was widely condemned as fraudulent. | |
Constitutional reforms carried out as a result of the Orange Revolution weakened the president and strengthened parliament - but Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych have clashed over the details. |
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