28 August 2010, 10:02
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: The Parliament shall complete the Constitutional Reform
"The Verkhovna Rada shall complete the constitutional reform," Volodymyr Lytvyn stated in the interview to "Holos Ukrainy" newspaper. He stated that the Constitution of 1996 was a result of a compromise "reached due to the external factors." "As the possibility of holding a constitutional referendum came into view, the deputies completed the long-lasting work in one night," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament reminded. However, the traditional Ukrainian practice of revising newly-adopted resolutions made itself felt, as different amendments were immediately introduced. "Presidential elections of 1999 confirmed it. At that time, the willingness to introduce constitutional amendments had a clear motivation to requite for the failure at the presidential elections. The official authorities confronted this process for a long time, but eventually they took the lead to stay in power," V.Lytvyn stated. He summed up that the constitutional process depended on the political motivations, alignment of forces and personal interests.
In 2004, it resulted in the constitutional crisis. "Reflections on the recent five-year rule of the President make it obvious that adoption of amendments to the Constitution and distribution of authorities was positive. Let us imagine that one person assumed all the power under the conditions of that five-year long confrontation, neglect, ambition and messianism, - how would the events develop in Ukraine? Moreover, it was the surroundings that ruled the day. How would they manage their unlimited authorities on behalf of the President, having the signature stamp?", the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine enquired.
He believes that "firstly, the inconsistencies in the Constitution shall be adjusted, and secondly, the constitutional process regarding local authority organization shall be completed." "The legislative resolutions shall support the authorities to be assumed by the local government agencies. The authorities at the central level should be redistributed. Furthermore, an act (in the form of either amendments to the Constitution, or a new version of the Fundamental Law) should be adopted to support the ambitious action plans. Definitely, we should allow for the current situation in the world, and the foreign political issues Ukraine will face," V.Lytvyn stressed. He made a point that this process should be pre-arranged to prevent domination of political matters.