Rada returns 2010 budget to Cabinet

The Verkhovna Rada voted on Friday to return the 2010 state budget draft to the Cabinet of Ministers. The measure was supported by 241 deputies: 171 from the Party of Regions, 23 from Our Ukraine, 27 from the Communist Party and 19 from the Lytvyn Bloc. The Rada recommended the government resubmit a budget within two weeks. Brad Wells: With the Cabinet and Rada divided over the budget and set in their ways ahead of the elections, it looks increasingly unlikely that a budget will be passed before yearend. The hot button issue is increased social benefits, which were passed by the Rada and signed into law by the president, but opposed by the Cabinet, which says the additional layouts are irresponsible and endanger cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.