2008 Ukrainian political crisis

During the conflict between Russia and Georgia, Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko issued a decree requiring advance notice of the movements of the Russian Black Sea Fleet into and out of the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol. He also came out strongly in support of Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili, condemning Russia's invasion in Georgia during the August 2008 Russo-Georgian War. Prime Minister Tymoshenko and her Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc put forward a less critical position towards Russia and the Prime Minister herself was out of public view during much of the conflict. On 18 August 2008 Yushchenko's office accused Prime Minister Tymoshenko of taking a softer position as a way to win the support of Russia during the 2010 Presidential election. Andriy Kyslynskyi, the president's deputy chief of staff, said Tymoshenko's actions showed "signs of high treason and political corruption" adding that documents supporting these allegations were being handed over to prosecutors.{{cite news|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/ukraine-pm-accused-high-treason-georgia/article-174801?Ref=RSS |title=Ukraine PM accused of 'high treason' over Georgia |publisher=EurActiv |date=20 August 2008 |access-date=10 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920121724/http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/ukraine-pm-accused-high-treason-georgia/article-174801?Ref=RSS |archive-date=20 September 2008 |url-status=dead }} Tymoshenko denied the accusations{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jXHYKgM3583Rlhsa_hYLkIo5nBSA|title=Ukraine PM rejects traitor accusations: report|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=20 August 2008|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921010516/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jXHYKgM3583Rlhsa_hYLkIo5nBSA|archive-date=21 September 2008|url-status=dead}} and rejected the accusation that she was soft in her support for Georgia, saying that she supported the "sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia" but she does not agree with the president's tough stance on the Black Sea Ports and defends her position as being "in line with the European Union and not to drag Ukraine into conflicts".{{cite news|url=http://www.intv-inter.net/downloads/pdf/newsletter/BYuT_Inform_Newsletter_Issue_84.pdf|title=Newsletter for the international community providing views and analysis from the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT) |publisher=Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko |date=8 September 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029054137/http://www.intv-inter.net/downloads/pdf/newsletter/BYuT_Inform_Newsletter_Issue_84.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2008 }}

Andriy Semchenko, an MP from the Tymoshenko bloc, called on the President and the head of the President's Secretariat Viktor Baloha to apologize to the Prime Minister before there could be constructive work in the coalition. He said it was not appropriate for the President and Baloha to spread information that Tymoshenko was a traitor.{{cite news|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/02/172052.html|title=BYuT demands Yushchenko and Baloha to apologize to Tymoshenko|publisher=forUm|date=2 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903012115/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/02/172052.html|archive-date=3 September 2008|url-status=dead}}

On 1 September 2008 Prime Minister Tymoshenko put forward draft legislation which would facilitate the procedure for impeachment, though she insisted it would not affect President Yushchenko and was meant for future presidents.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-270322.html|title=Tymoshenko "calms down" Baloha saying his chief must not be concerned|publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=1 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080914183607/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-270322.html| archive-date= 14 September 2008 | url-status= live}} When the legislation came to a vote two days later, Tymoshenko's bloc voted together with the Party of Regions and Communists to pass it. They also approved legislation limiting the powers of the President while increasing the powers of the Prime Minister. In particular the parties approved legislation which would strip the President of the right to reject a candidate for Prime Minister, dismiss the Defense, Interior and Foreign Ministers and appoint a head of the State Intelligence Service. Yushchenko promised to veto the legislation.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1838848,00.html |title=Why Ukraine's Pro-Western Coalition Split |magazine=Time |date=4 September 2008 |access-date=10 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908011536/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1838848%2C00.html |archive-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=avVAAysbcd8I&refer=europe|title=Yushchenko May Dissolve Ukraine Parliament, Call Vote|publisher=Bloomberg|date=3 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008}}

Following the vote President Yushchenko's bloc pulled out of the governing coalition saying Tymoshenko was colluding with the opposition and the President warned he would call a snap election if a new coalition was not formed within the required time. He further accused Tymoshenko of trying to set up a "dictatorship of the prime minister" and calling the parliamentary vote "a political and constitutional coup d'état." Tymoshenko rejected the allegations and said the real reason the president "declared a war against me is to ensure his victory in the next presidential elections." In spite of this Tymoshenko has called for restoring the coalition between the two groups. She also defended her position on Georgia saying it was "in line with the European Union and it is not to drag Ukraine into conflicts." Parliament further increased the powers of the Prime Minister by passing legislation requiring the appointment and dismissal of the Prosecutor General by the President to receive the consent of the Prime Minister and giving the government power to appoint local heads of government if the President rejects the candidates.

On 8 September, Our Ukraine MP Andry Parubij claimed Tymoshenko and Regions had already reached a deal on forming a new government and were dividing up posts for a new cabinet (a claim Tynoshenko has denied{{cite news|url=http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2008/09/08/149203|title=BYUT and Regions have divided posts in new cabinet – Our Ukraine lawmaker claims|publisher=Western Information Agency|date=8 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080920080035/http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2008/09/08/149203| archive-date= 20 September 2008 | url-status= live}}). He also said that if a coalition is formed between Tymoshenko's bloc and Regions, Our Ukraine would appeal to the Constitutional Court to assess the legality of the December 2004 changes made in the constitution which, if successful, would restore wide powers held by the office of president. During the "Freedom of Speech" program on 9 September 2008 Tymoshenko said she was "categorically against" the decrees made by Yushchenko on the Russian Black Sea Fleet saying they risked provoking a response from Russia.{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/09/content_9878587.htm|title=Ukrainian PM firmly against president's decree restricting Russia's fleet movement |publisher=Xinhua|date=9 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080912030914/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/09/content_9878587.htm| archive-date= 12 September 2008 | url-status= dead}}

On 10 September, Tymoshenko reiterated her call for the coalition to be restored, but said she would not accept any preconditions for Our Ukraine to return.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-272168.html|title=Tymoshenko again asks Yushchenko to resume coalition|publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=10 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080913183132/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-272168.html| archive-date= 13 September 2008 | url-status= live}} She also said at the moment they were not discussing any other coalition. Tymoshenko added that a snap poll would "destroy the normal life of the country" so it was not a way out of the crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-272173.html|title=BYuT does not discuss any new coalitions in parliament|publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=10 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917095935/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-272173.html| archive-date= 17 September 2008 | url-status= live}}

The same day Yan Bernazyuk, Yushchenko's liaison to the government of Tymoshenko, said representatives of the Presidential Secretariat were not allowed to attend the government session. Bernazyuk claimed the reason was because the government was discussing four issues which had a "clear Kremlin face" concerning "permits on use of mineral products without any contests, sales, and tenders."{{cite news|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/10/150057.html|title=Tymoshenko did not allow Yushchenko's people to attend Cabinet's session|publisher=forUm|date=10 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920070524/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/10/150057.html|archive-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead}} Yushchenko urged representatives and members of the regional, city and district councils to unite against the formation of a new coalition by retaining the "democratic coalition" in the local governments as well as for all other "national forces" to unite. He said the new relationship between the Tymoshenko bloc and Regions was a "serious threat for democratic choice of Ukraine" which was in danger of reconsidering "national priorities to principles of democratic governing, including the local one."{{cite news|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/10/164538.html|title=Yushchenko urges local councils to struggle against new majority|publisher=forUm|date=10 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920070529/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/09/10/164538.html|archive-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead}}

Officials from the Party of Regions accused Yushchenko of planning to impose direct presidential rule by dissolving the parliament without calling early elections. At the same time members of the Central Election Commission sympathetic to Yushchenko would resign prolonging the time without an acting parliament.{{cite news|url=http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2008/09/09/149351|title=Yushchenko will opt for direct presidential rule if he strikes a deal with generals – Taras Chornovil|publisher=Western Information Agency|date=9 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008}} Another claim said Yushchenko had secretly instructed the oblast governors and leaders of NGOs to request the imposition of a direct presidential rule by Yushchenko and that he would launch a military coup.{{cite news|url=http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2008/09/10/149505|title=Yushchenko hatching military coup, says Regions lawmaker Kolesnychenko|publisher=Western Information Agency|date=10 September 2008|access-date=10 September 2008}} Yushchenko denied planning to resolve the crisis with force saying Ukraine can resolve the crisis in a "democratic way" through dialogue.{{cite news|url=http://unian.net/eng/news/news-272512.html|title=Yushchenko rules out strong-arm scenario of solving crisis in Ukraine|publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=16 September 2008|access-date=16 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080915093340/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-272512.html| archive-date= 15 September 2008 | url-status= live}}

On 16 September, the collapse of the BYuT/NU-NS coalition was officially announced. Yulia Tymoshenko unleashed one of her harshest attacks on Yushchenko yet, accusing the President of destroying the gains of the Orange Revolution, sinking hopes of rebuilding the coalition. "Since 2004, this president has managed to destroy everything: people's faith in the ideals of the revolution and faith in the president himself – only 5 percent still support him," she told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "Unfortunately, this president will leave a legacy of shattered remnants of the 'orange' promises and democratic coalitions, of his own team and even of his friends and his own political standing."[http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29741 "Ukraine PM fires broadside at Yushchenko"]. Reuters. Kyiv Post. 17 September 2008. Tymoshenko also blamed Yushchenko for "everything bad that will happen in relations between Ukraine and Russia" calling for Ukraine to pursue a more "balanced" policy towards Russia.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122166260238348007?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Ukrainian PM refuses to stand down and assails president |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=19 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920081943/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122166260238348007.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |archive-date=20 September 2008 |url-status=dead }} Yushchenko accused Tymoshenko and the Party of Regions of trying to create a twoparty system in parliament. The two blocs joined forces in drafting and registering a new law in parliament on 17 September that would introduce a two-round election system for parliament which would likely lead to BYuT and Regions being the only parties in parliament after the next election.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29773|title=Yushchenko, Tymoshenko split bitterly|work=Kyiv Post|date=18 September 2008|access-date=19 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080920083214/http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29773| archive-date= 20 September 2008 | url-status= live}} Viktor Yanukovich said his party did not want to initiate early elections and added "The Constitution must be changed so as to provide efficient operation of authorities."{{cite news|url=http://news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1295770&lang=EN|title=Ukrainian Regions Party Not to Initiate Early Elections: Party Leader|publisher=Trend News Agency|date=16 September 2008|access-date=22 September 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Yuri Lutsenko leader of Civil Movement "People's Self-Defense" (part of the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc) said on 17 September 2008 that the breakup of the coalition was provoked by the Secretariat of the President and that "People's Self Defense" was categorically against it.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-273398.html|title=Lutsenko is not about to send in his resignation|publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=17 September 2008|access-date=17 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080918100054/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-273398.html| archive-date= 18 September 2008 | url-status= live}}

On 18 September, Yulia Tymoshenko refused to resign as prime minister as agreed under a coalition pact saying "The coalition has not collapsed.... It's the president and part of his team betraying the democratic coalition who have left it unilaterally."{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gN8u0Bl7M7gtGylhr5WoFuRCvuuQ|title=Ukraine PM refuses to resign as crisis deepens|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=18 September 2008|access-date=19 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080921042414/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gN8u0Bl7M7gtGylhr5WoFuRCvuuQ| archive-date= 21 September 2008 | url-status= live}} She also made reference to the alleged poisoning plot that almost killed President Viktor Yushchenko in 2004 by saying "The main poisoning is the poisoning with unlimited power, a serious intoxication in the presidential secretariat."{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2008/0919/1221773888371.html|title=Ukrainian PM refuses to stand down and assails president|newspaper=The Irish Times |date=19 September 2008|access-date=19 September 2008}} Yushchenko accused Tymoshenko of not providing adequate funding for Ukraine's military and asked when she would show respect to Ukraine's soldiers.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/world/29789|title=Ukraine president blasts rival PM over army|work=Kyiv Post|date=18 September 2008|access-date=19 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080920083250/http://www.kyivpost.com/world/29789| archive-date= 20 September 2008 | url-status= live}}

President Yushchenko later said Tymoshenko was working with the Party of Regions, and the Communist Party on decisions aimed at destabilizing the country in order to establish a new political regime. Yuriy Yekhanurov, Ukraine's Defense Minister and member of Yushchenko's Our Ukraine bloc, said he and his political force would take all effort necessary to maintain the stability of the country.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29830|title=Yushchenko accuses Tymoshenko of betraying Ukraine's national interests|work=Kyiv Post|date=21 September 2008|access-date=22 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080923135544/http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29830| archive-date= 23 September 2008 | url-status= live}}

On 19 September Yulia Tymoshenko called the information about the existence of an informal coalition between BYuT, the Party of Regions and Communist Part of Ukraine "black political propaganda". The Premier believed that the spreading of such information was aimed at changing the arrangement of political forces leading up to the Ukrainian presidential elections in 2010. She also stated: "I think that this (the creation of a coalition of a different format) can be a last resort and forced step before the dissolving of the Verkhovna Rada, the Communists have nothing to do with this".{{cite news|url=http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/news/first/6277/ |title=Yulia Tymoshenko: The creation of a new coalition will be a last resort and forced step |publisher=Personal web site of Yulia Tymoshenko |date=19 September 2008 |access-date=19 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924000544/http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/news/first/6277/ |archive-date=24 September 2008 |url-status=dead }} On 22 September Our Ukraine issued a statement which said: "People's Union Our Ukraine call on everybody, for who the values of independence and freedom are more important than personal or group interests, to unite around President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, as a guarantor of the national state, and around Our Ukraine, as the only real force defending Ukrainian interests in the current Verkhovna Rada" and called on BYuT members to "put interests of nation before the interests of party leaders, to refuse being accomplices of the plot (to revise the Ukrainian Constitution and give all power to the hands of the pro-Kremlin parliamentary oligarchs), and to take part in the unification process of Ukrainian democratic forces".{{cite news|url=http://unian.net/eng/news/news-274239.html|title=Our Ukraine calls on BYuT members to repudiate Tymoshenko|publisher=UNIAN|date=22 September 2008|access-date=22 September 2008}}

On 26 September 2008, Tymoshenko suggested holding early parliamentary and presidential elections as a way out of the crisis.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Ukraines_Tymoshenko_Suggests_Twin_Polls_As_Way_Out_Of_Crisis/1291854.html|title=Tymoshenko Suggests Twin Polls as Way Out of Crisis|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty }} Tymoshenko said in parliament she would accept any conditions of Our Ukraine "in order to preserve Ukraine's strategic orientation, to preserve the parliament and not to throw the country into a new crisis."{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gK21echxa04A5KOGXgd4I3VFtfMA|title=Ukraine PM says ready to revive pro-West coalition|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=1 October 2008|access-date=1 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014235942/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gK21echxa04A5KOGXgd4I3VFtfMA|archive-date=14 October 2008|url-status=dead}} Talks were on track to reforge the orange coalition by early October 2008.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Tymoshenko_Says_Parties_On_Track_To_Restore_Orange_Coalition/1293748.html|title=Tymoshenko Says 'Orange' Coalition Ready to Reunite|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty }} But no coalition was formed on 8 October and in the evening of 8 October while visiting Italy President Yushchenko announced Ukraine's third general election in less than three years in a pre-recorded speech on Ukrainian television.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7660058.stm|title=Snap election called in Ukraine |work=BBC News|date=8 October 2008|access-date=8 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081011022502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7660058.stm| archive-date= 11 October 2008 | url-status= live}}

Most politicians, besides the president's closest allies, denounced the decree,Although on 13 October 2008 the main opposition party (Party of Regions) declared although the party did not support the idea of carrying out a snap poll it wanted the snap parliamentary poll to take place as soon as possible {{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-278244.html |title=Yanukovych: this is a catastrophe |publisher=UNIAN |date=13 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202113258/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-278244.html |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=live}}. with even some Yushchenko sympathisers and allies from the Presidents own party,{{cite news

|url = http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/154442.html

|title = Five OU-PSD Parties: Appointment of Early Parliamentary Elections Is Mistake

|publisher = Ukrainian News Agency

|date = 9 October 2008

|access-date = 16 December 2008

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120093039/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/154442.html

|archive-date = 20 November 2008

|url-status = dead}} vowing to challenge his action in the courts.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-277640.html |title=People's Self-Defense not to bloc with Our Ukraine at snap poll |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120074835/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-277640.html |archive-date=20 November 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4986BQ20081009|title=Ukraine president says Dec election is "no tragedy"|publisher=Reuters|date=9 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}

On 10 October the People’s Self-Defense (PSD) leader Yuriy Lutsenko announced that all democratic forces should unite into a single democratic bloc on basis of BYuT at the snap poll.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-277835.html |title=All democratic forces should unite on basis of BYuT – Lutsenko |publisher=UNIAN |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202112303/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-277835.html |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=live}} Although other PSD members disagreed and rather continued to collaborate with Our Ukraine.{{cite news|url=http://unian.net/eng/news/news-277881.html |title=Riot in People's Movement of Ukraine |publisher=UNIAN |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202053656/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-277881.html |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=live}}

International reactions were also negative: the European Union did hope beforehand that there will be no snap elections{{cite news

|url = http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/152813.html

|title = European Union Hopes There Will Be No Snap Elections in Ukraine

|publisher = Ukrainian News Agency

|date = 2 October 2008

|access-date = 16 December 2008

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130205105856/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/152813.html

|archive-date = 5 February 2013

|url-status = dead}} and Poland’s former President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, stated that by dissolving the Verkhovna Rada, Yushchenko "shot himself in the foot.""There was a chance to create a wide democratic coalition of BYuT, OU-PSD and the Lytvyn Bloc, and we were working on it. Pres Yushchenko 'may suffer a substantial pratfall'", Poland’s former President Aleksander Kwaśniewski stated. {{cite news|url=http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2008/10/09/152848|title=Yushchenko shoots himself in the foot – Aleksander Kwasniewski|publisher=Zik|date=9 October 2008| access-date=9 October 2008 }}

On 16 October, after resistance,{{cite news|url=http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/news/first/6407/|title=Yulia Tymoshenko: There is no money in the reserve fund for elections|publisher=Personal web site of Yulia Tymoshenko|date=14 October 2008|access-date=16 December 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the cabinet endorsed amendments to the 2008 national budget to finance the snap elections.{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/en/news/main-news/176875/|title=Cabinet endorses amendments to budget to fund early elections to Rada|publisher=Interfax-Ukraine|date=17 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}

Proposal by (19 October) by Yulia Tymoshenko to create a "megacoalition" and by Viktor Yanukovych (23 October) to create a "anti-crisis government" in the Ukrainian Parliament and postpone the snap elections until the threat of the financial crisis of 2007–2008 had passed lead to nothing.{{cite news|url=http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/news/first/6440/ |title=Tymoshenko to propose creating "megacoalition" during NSDC meeting |publisher=Personal web site of Yulia Tymoshenko |date=20 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231020848/http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/news/first/6440/ |archive-date=31 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-279498.html|title=Yushchenko says Tymoshenko's proposal to form new coalition untimely|publisher=UNIAN|date=20 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/157843.html|title=Yanukovych Calls For Formation of Anti-Crisis Cabinet To Replace Existing Cabinet|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=23 October 2008|access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205085402/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/157843.html|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}}

On 29 October the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) voted against a bill to finance the early elections.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-281358.html|title=Parliament blocks funds for snap election|publisher=UNIAN|date=29 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/159390.html|title=Rada Refuses To Allocate UAH 417.5 Million For Snap Rada Elections|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=29 October 2008|access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205071116/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/159390.html|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-281544.html|title=Verkhovna Rada resembles court of Madrid (photo-report)|publisher=UNIAN|date=30 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }} On 31 October, the Verkhovna Rada refused to include a provision on funding snap parliamentary elections into a bill on immediate anti-financial crisis measures.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/161768.html|title=Yatseniuk Supporting Agreement on Temporary Interaction Between Yuschenko, Cabinet And Rada Factions|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|access-date=10 November 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205111148/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/161768.html|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}}

The Kyiv District Administrative Court on 11 October 2008 suspended Yushchenko's election call, responding to a lawsuit filed by BYuT MPs.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=10&dd=11&nav_id=54157 Kiev court annuls presidential decree to dissolve parliament] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212034207/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=10&dd=11&nav_id=54157 |date=12 December 2008 }} B92, 11 October 2008 Tymoshenko refused to approve funds for the election, stating that Ukraine couldn't afford an early election and that she expected parliament to refuse the necessary funds, as well.[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icD-TS1PWv-LA7R3qFWfYJhXmf_AD93NQT6G0 Ukraine PM says no to early elections] Associated Press, 11 October 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031043609/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icD-TS1PWv-LA7R3qFWfYJhXmf_AD93NQT6G0 |date=31 October 2008 }} Yushchenko appealed the suspension on the basis that he had fired the judge who gave the order beforehand. Prime Minister Tymoshenko and President Yushchenko dispatched rival security forces to the appeals and Tymoshenko's supporters planned to hold a round-the-clock vigil at the court to prevent illegal action from taking place.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122377764418126275?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Ukraine's Leaders Battle Over Early Elections |work=The Wall Street Journal|date=11 October 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015062720/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122377764418126275.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |archive-date=15 October 2008 |url-status=dead }} On 13 October President Yuschenko liquidated the Kyiv District Administrative Court altogether.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/155397.html|title=Yuschenko Liquidates Kyiv District Administrative Court|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=13 October 2008|access-date=13 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015215637/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/155397.html|archive-date=15 October 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156098.html|title=Supreme Court Asking Yuschenko To Cancel Decree on Liquidation of Kyiv District Administrative Court|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=16 October 2008|access-date=16 October 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205053432/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156098.html|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}} On 15 October, Kyiv Regional Administrative Court suspended the president decree on liquidation of the Kyiv District Administrative after the Supreme Court of Ukraine had asked Yuschenko to cancel the decree on liquidation of the Kyiv District Administrative Court. So on 15 October Yuschenko liquidated the Kyiv District Administrative Court again.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156447.html|title=Yuschenko Again Liquidates Kyiv District Administrative Court|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=17 October 2008|access-date=17 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019204008/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156447.html|archive-date=19 October 2008|url-status=dead}} On 17 October The Kyiv Central Administrative Court has overturned the ruling of the Kyiv District Administrative Court.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156454.html|title=Court Upholds Decree on Rada Dissolution|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=17 October 2008|access-date=17 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019161742/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156454.html|archive-date=19 October 2008|url-status=dead}} On 28 October The Kyiv Appeal Administrative Court cancelled the suspension of Yushchenko's election decision by the Kyiv District Administrative Court.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-281122.html|title=Presidential Secretariat has won trial on snap poll|publisher=UNIAN|date=28 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/159151.html|title=Court Drops Consideration of Appeal Against Rada Dissolution Decree|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=17 October 2008|access-date=28 October 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914030324/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/159151.html|archive-date=14 September 2012|url-status=dead}}

On 22 October, President Yushchenko stated that the precise date for the early election could not be set until parliament (work in parliament was blocked by protests{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-279953.html|title=BYuT faction blocks parliament's presidium and rostrum|publisher=UNIAN|date=22 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/157406.html|title=Rada Closes meeting|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=22 October 2008|access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024063920/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/157406.html|archive-date=24 October 2008|url-status=dead}} from 21 October till 24 October{{cite news|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/158160.html|title=BYT Unblocks Rada|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=24 October 2008|access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026223538/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/158160.html|archive-date=26 October 2008|url-status=dead}}) approved finances for the poll{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-280038.html|title=BYuT not to support draft laws on financing snap poll – Tymoshenko|publisher=UNIAN|date=22 October 2008| access-date=16 December 2008 }} and voted for legislation to help Ukraine through the world financial crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-280065.html |title=Ukraine election date is uncertain, says president |publisher=UNIAN |date=22 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230202710/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-280065.html |archive-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7680916.stm |title=Finance crisis delay Ukraine vote |work=BBC News |date=20 October 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217031450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7680916.stm |archive-date=17 December 2008 |url-status=live}} So far parliament hasn't approved funding.{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/2979/ |title=Presidential Secretariat urges parliament to include early election funds in 2009 budget |publisher=Interfax-Ukraine |date=15 December 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230212126/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/2979/ |archive-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=dead}} On 12 November 2008 Yushchenko stated in an interview published in the Warsaw daily Rzeczpospolita that the election could no longer take place this year because anti-crisis actions had to be undertaken first.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-284007.html |title=Ukraine's president says no election this year |publisher=UNIAN |date=12 November 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230202945/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-284007.html |archive-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=live}}

Early December 2008 there were negotiations between Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT) and Party of Regions to form a coalition[http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/166617.html Experts Admit Party Of Regions-Tymoshenko Bloc Coalition If Pliusch Nominated For Speaker's Position] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108152605/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/166617.html |date=8 January 2009 }}, Ukrainian News Agency (3 December 2008) but after Volodymyr Lytvyn was elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament of Ukraine) 9 December 2008 he announced the creation of a coalition between his Lytvyn Bloc, BYuT and Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (OU-PSD).[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7774328.stm Ukraine coalition set to reform], BBC News (9 December 2008) After negotiations[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-289455.html New parliamentary majority receives name], UNIAN (11-12-2008)[https://archive.today/20121208222050/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/168815.html Lavrynovych Speaking About Majority Between BYuT, OU PSD, Lytvyn Bloc And Communist Party Faction At Rada], Ukrainian News Agency (13 December 2008) "Lytvyn announced about creating a coalition between BYuT, the Our Ukraine – People's Self-Defense Bloc faction and the Lytvyn Bloc. However, the coalition agreement has not been signed so far." the three parties officially signed the coalition agreement on 16 December.[http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/169237.html Tymoshenko Bloc, OU-PSD, And Lytvyn Bloc Sign Rada Coalition Agreement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122235938/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/169237.html |date=22 January 2009 }}, Ukrainian News Agency (16 December 2008)

• 2007 Ukrainian political crisis
• 2007 Ukrainian parliamentary election

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