KIEV, March 22 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's president upped the ante Wednesday in the run up to the March 26 parliamentary elections by saying he could dissolve the newly elected parliament if it failed to form a government within the timeframe established in the constitution.
"The dissolution of parliament is a constitutional norm and presidential right," Viktor Yushchenko said. "If the parliament fails to form a coalitional majority and the government within 60 days [from its election], it gives the president the right to use this option."
Yushchenko said a split within the ranks of the supporters of the "orange revolution" that brought him to power in 2004 was down to the personal ambitions of their leaders.
Orange-clad supporters of the pro-presidential Our Ukraine election bloc currently dominate political activists in the center of the capital, Kiev, but the Party of Regions, led by Yushchenko's main rival in the last presidential election, Viktor Yanukovich, is thought to be leading the plethora of parties, blocs and movements involved in the election race.
However, speaking about possible coalitions after the election, Yushchenko said any prior promises of appointments or ultimatums were unacceptable.
"If we focus on the Ukrainian idea, we will win the elections," he said.
