KIEV, May 24 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko accused the Constitutional Court late Wednesday of losing its legitimacy and ordered the prosecutor general's office to launch an investigation into the court's actions.

Earlier in the day, the Constitutional Court significantly limited the president's power to appoint and fire the heads of local courts by upholding an appeal from the High Justice Council, which questioned the president's choice in appointing and firing judges.

"I have to admit that the Constitutional Court is losing its constitutional legitimacy and cannot perform its function of safeguarding the provisions of the Constitution," Yushchenko said on national television.

"I am asking the prosecutor general's office to give an immediate legal assessment of the situation at the Constitutional Court, which is leading to violations of the main provisions of the Constitution and state legislation," said the president, apparently enraged by the court's decision.

Yushchenko said the Constitutional Court was "paralyzed and demoralized," and its lack of action was contributing to the current political crisis in Ukraine.

"The court's unprecedented indecisiveness undermines its authority and questions the professional competence of some judges," he said.

The president earlier sacked three constitutional judges citing a "breach of oath" without specifying the nature of the alleged violations committed by them. The move ignited protests among the judges, and several local courts suspended the president's decree to dismiss them.

"In defiance of the law, the dismissed judges reinstated themselves to their posts," Yushchenko said, calling the actions "illegal and unconstitutional."

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court continued deliberations Wednesday on whether Yushchenko's April 2 decree dissolving parliament was legal.

On April 2, pro-Western Ukrainian leader issued a decree to dissolve the 450-seat Supreme Rada and hold early elections on May 27 after 11 opposition members defected to the ruling coalition. Parliament and ministers, dominated by pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's supporters, refused to obey the order and referred it to the Constitutional Court.

On April 26, Yushchenko issued another decree on parliament's dissolution, setting an election date for June 24. However, Yanukovych and his supporters continue to insist on a later date, possibly in September or October.

The two top political rivals met briefly on Wednesday for a new round of talks but failed to break a deadlock over the date of snap elections.