KIEV, May 24 (RIA Novosti) - Two of the three major parties that backed the "orange revolution" Wednesday signed a draft agreement on forming a coalition in the Ukrainian parliament.
The mooted coalition, which could bring an end to the parliamentary limbo that has paralyzed Ukrainian politics since March 26 elections, now comprises former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko's eponymous bloc, and the Socialist Party. Pro-presidential grouping Our Ukraine bloc, which has been involved in negotiations, has yet to sign the agreement.
Tymoshenko said all remaining disagreements between the three parties had been eliminated, and that the draft would be coordinated with Our Ukraine on Thursday before the three leaders meet with President Viktor Yushchenko.
Negotiations on forming a coalition, as mandated in the country's constitution, have been complicated over disagreements on who should be appointed prime minister, and over Tymoshenko's refusal to deal with the pro-Russia Party of Regions, which came first in the parliamentary elections and holds 186 seats but has been frozen out of the coalition.
Tymoshenko reiterated Wednesday that the Party of Regions, led by former presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, would never be part of the coalition.
"We reject any negotiations or coalition with the Party of Regions, because it is a vestige of the former regime," Tymoshenko said.
President Yushchenko previously said a coalition agreement had to be signed before the first session of parliament on May 25. If parliamentarians fail to agree a month after the parliament starts work, the president is entitled to disband the legislature and call new elections.
