Moroz Signs New Law Weakening President's Powers

A controversial new law giving the Cabinet several powers that formerly belonged to the president was published this morning in the Verkhovna Rada’s official newspaper with the signature of Rada Speaker Oleksandr Moroz. According to the constitution following signing and publication a law takes effect. President Viktor Yushchenko, vetoed the law last week despite a Rada vote led by the Party of Regions and Tymoshenko Block last week that overturned his original veto, claiming that the version of the law his office was given differed from the law voted on in parliament and could thus be looked at as a new law. The President’s office called Moroz’s move illegal and promised to take the case to the constitutional court. Nick Piazza: There has been some speculation that in return for the departure of Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyik, the coalition would allow certain amendments to the law and  today Moroz seemed to try to downplay the possibility of further conflicts with the President saying the Rada was going to examine the law at its next session to “ensure that it works as affectively as possible.” The President’s chances in the Constitution Court look a bit questionable.