11 April 2008
Yesterday, Our Ukraine, The Yulia Tymoshenko Block and The Socialist Party opened talks on the formation of an ‘orange’ coalition to form Ukraine’s new government. Following the meeting all three parties announced that they had agreed that the Party of Regions would not be included in the new government. The parties agreed to meet again on Thursday to continue talks. Concorde Capital: The announcements following these talks suggest a minor breakthrough for Our Ukraine. Previously, talks had stalled due to BYT’s insistence on the naming of posts in the new government, a demand that Tymoshenko has agreed to drop for the time being. Our Ukraine is weary of teaming up with Tymoshenko because her demands on divvying up posts both in the new government and in the regions would severely limit the influence of the party. However, Our Ukraine, which finished third in the elections, seems to be stuck between the oven and the fire, the party’s other option, working with the Party of Regions, would likely disillusion Our Ukraine’s support base.