Allies of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich failed on Saturday in a first attempt to push through changes to the constitution that could significantly boost his political powers in the ex-Soviet republic, according to Reuters. Parliament launched a debate on Friday on a proposal by Yanukovich's Regions Party that would allow for a referendum to decide whether curbs on presidential powers, agreed in 2004, should be lifted. Political commentators said allies of Yanukovich, who was elected last February after a bitter political campaign against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, sought particularly to boost presidential authority over the government. At the moment, the president can propose candidates only for foreign and defence ministers -- and even they have to be accepted by parliament. If the curbs were lifted, commentators said Yanukovich would effectively rule in a presidential system similar to that of many other former Soviet states, including Russia, with the right to name government ministers. But when parliament met on Saturday in exceptional session several parties voiced opposition to agreeing on a referendum now. They included the Communists and the Lytvyn bloc which are part of the majority underpinning Yanukovich's government. Further debate on proposal was put off until September. -- SPA
