The Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc is now in opposition to a new parliamentary coalition led by Viktor Yanukovych, head of the pro-Russia Party of Regions, after the "orange" coalition that it led collapsed earlier this month.
The new, "anti-crisis" coalition submitted their leader's prime ministerial candidacy to President Viktor Yushchenko, who is to decide on recommending the candidature to parliament within 15 days.
"President Yushchenko has two options - to dissolve parliament after July 25 and try to save Ukraine or to give up and admit that Maidan [venue of the 2004 "orange revolution" protests] was a mistake and the hopes of millions of people for a decent life are an illusion and recommend the candidature of Yanukovych to the Supreme Rada," Tymoshenko bloc's letter said.
The letter was supported by all 125 members of the faction, which marched out of parliament Thursday in protest against a new coalition.
Tymoshenko, who served as prime minister under Yushchenko for eight months before being fired, said recommending Yanukovych, who enjoyed the Kremlin's backing while running for president in the former Soviet state in 2004, would be a betrayal.
The opposition is holding a separate session in the Rada Friday, as Tymoshenko said Thursday her bloc was giving up its lawmaking powers and would start the official procedure to do so July 24.
