Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine’s Parliament humiliated President Viktor Yushchenko this week by taking away just about all his powers. Yushchenko, the leader of his country’s 2004 democratic Orange Revolution, has been steadily losing influence since he was elected president. Last year he and his erstwhile ally, Yulia Timoshenko, were fighting so much that they could not agree on forming a government; he had to appoint his archrival, the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovich, prime minister. This week, Timoshenko’s party voted with Yanukovich’s party to strip the president of the right to veto the choice of prime minister. Yushchenko said the parliament had no constitutional right to change the president’s duties. He vowed to appeal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rightsThe Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibeThe Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort
-
Codeword: October 8, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
