Yushchenko Hints At Constitutional Referendum
December 30, 2005
Yushchenko promised reforms when he won election (file photo) (AFP)
The changes were agreed at the height of the "Orange Revolution" as part of a deal to win broad agreement on re-staging a rigged presidential election. Yushchenko won the rerun and took office in January.
But during a live television interview today, Yushchenko said the changes now threaten political stability and efficiency. He said the issue of a referendum will be on his agenda, but did not say when.
Under the changes due to go in effect on 1 January, the president is no longer free to nominate the prime minister and other key ministers.
Yushchenko has been increasingly critical of the new arrangements as parliament lacks a stable majority and he has had trouble pushing key reforms through the assembly.
Parliamentary elections are set for March.
(Reuters)