Ukraine no-confidence vote delayed

Yushchenko's ousting could destabilise the Ukraine, analysts say

KIEV, Ukraine -- A no confidence vote faced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko that could have brought down his government has been postponed.

Deputies voted 316 to 10 in the 450-seat chamber after heated debate to postpone the motion which has been hanging over Yushchenko's government for the past week.

They had earlier decided to hold the vote on Tuesday, which was expected to oust Yushchenko and his cabinet, but it is now scheduled be held on Thursday.

Yushchenko, a former central banker chairman, has fallen foul of communists, powerful businessmen known as oligarchs, and other factions, unhappy at stringent reformist measures being introduced.

The communists are the biggest political faction in the parliament.

The prime minister's opponents are being led by Petro Symonenko who has called Yushchenko and his allies "puppets of the West" and the International Monetary Fund.

Yushchenko, who had predicted he would be toppled on Tuesday, has vigorously defended his performance during his two-year tenure.

The repercussions of a collapse in the Ukrainian government could damage the country's already fragile economy and stall further financial aid from the IMF and the World Bank.

CNN's Jill Dougherty said: "The government, led by Yushchenko, with its relatively apolitical approach, has managed to keep a tenuous balance among the warring factions... communists, leftists, oligarchs, rightists, nationalists, etc.

"If Yushchenko falls, the bottom falls out of this balance -- resulting in more political chaos."

She added: "If he is toppled most Western analysts believe it would be a major blow to economic reform in Ukraine."

Most trusted politician

Up to 2,000 supporters of Yushchenko demonstrated outside parliament on Tuesday calling on the communists to "Return to Moscow" and for the oligarchs to "Go to jail."

Yushchenko is the Ukraine's most trusted politician and his difficulties have only increased his popularity, Dougherty said.

It is unclear who will succeed him despite political jostling.

The situation has been compounded by troubled President Leonid Kuchma offering only limited support for his prime minister.

Kuchma is under fire himself over allegations that he ordered the death of an outspoken journalist.

Kuchma said on Monday that an unstable government was not in anybody's interest, offering to broker a solution.

Dougherty said: "Kuchma considers Yushchenko a rival, but he has not said that publicly, taking a hands-off approach.

"Kuchma, on the other hand, is under severe pressure. If Yushchenko falls, Kuchma loses a political rival -- but gains more domestic chaos... as well as sure criticism from the West."

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International Monetary Fund
Ukraine Parliament
Ukraine

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