By trying to change Constitution Tymoshenko and Yanukovych follow in Kuchma’s footsteps – expert Anatoly Romaniuk

“Not only is Yushchenko stripped of his powers, but he is also discredited. It is inadmissible,” Romaniuk says.

He says the same kind of tactics was used in 1993-1994: “When Leonid Kuchma was premier he opted for a parliamentary republic in Ukraine. When he was elected president in 2004 he changed his mind and did everything to build up his authority,” Romaniuk notes.

In the expert’s opinion, any constitutional changes related to the presidential powers should have been carefully analyzed. Whereas the present changes have been ill-thought, with no required checks and balances mechanisms introduced. “Eventually, it may lead to a serious imbalance in Ukraine’s political system. Currently, lawmakers’ overriding motive in voting is that the bills will clip Yushchenko’s powers, with no thought for checks and balances needed. The only criterion is the interests of Ukraine’s political strongmen,” he concludes.