Ukraine's Government Survives No-Confidence Vote

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Source: Associated Press

Ukraine's Government Survives No-Confidence Vote

By KATHERINE JACOBSEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOSCOW — Feb 16, 2016, 2:24 PM ET

The government of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday though a majority of lawmakers harshly criticized its work.

The vote reflected simmering political tensions amid Ukraine's economic troubles that have eroded public support for Yatsenyuk's Cabinet. The failure to pass the motion reflected lawmakers' fears that it could lead to the collapse of the ruling coalition and early elections.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko called on the embattled prime minister to resign and for a new line-up of ministers to be appointed.

"The tension between the government and the factions has become so high that it poses a threat to the coalition's functioning," Poroshenko said in a statement.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraines-president-calls-pm-resign-36972094

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1. Ex-PM Tymoshenko’s faction quits Ukraine governing coalition

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MINSK, Belarus — Ukraine saw more political turmoil Wednesday, as former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced that her faction was withdrawing from the governing coalition, which she criticized as an obstacle to reforms.

Tymoshenko’s move came a day after Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s cabinet survived a no-confidence vote in parliament even though a majority of lawmakers declared its work unsatisfactory. The vote reflected lawmakers’ fears that it could lead to the collapse of the governing coalition and an early election.

Tymoshenko, who leads the smallest of the four factions in the governing coalition, accused its participants of collusion in a bid to protect their seats.

“We consider it inadmissible to be part of that pack, which has no chance because it doesn’t want to conduct reforms, protect Ukraine and renew our life,” she said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ex-pm-tymoshenkos-faction-quits-ukraine-ruling-coalition/2016/02/17/5406d41c-d57a-11e5-a65b-587e721fb231_story.html

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2. Another faction quits Ukraine’s governing coalition

MINSK, Belarus — Ukraine sank deeper into political turmoil Thursday as the governing coalition lost its majority in parliament after a second faction bailed out.

The move by Samopomich (Self Help), which has 26 seats in the 450-seat parliament, leaves the coalition partners with 217 votes. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s faction withdrew from the coalition a day earlier.

The failure to create a new majority coalition may lead to early parliamentary elections, something President Petro Poroshenko has sought to avoid, fearing it could further destabilize the nation.

The two factions remaining in the coalition are led by Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. They have been uneasy partners, with members of Yatsenyuk’s and Poroshenko’s blocs engaging in fierce spats which have strained public patience and eroded the confidence of the West.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/another-faction-quits-ukraines-governing-coalition/2016/02/18/121fe700-d651-11e5-a65b-587e721fb231_story.html