Ukraine's Government Near Collapse

Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko today accused his prime minister of trying to stage a "constitutional coup" against him after her part—a key member of the ruling coalition—voted to lessen Yushchenko’s powers and boost hers, the Guardian reports. The parties fell out over Russia's invasion of Georgia, which Yulia Tymoshenko refuses to condemn, and speculation Ukraine could be drawn into the conflict.

Political calculations also factor in: Tymoshenko will likely run for president against Yushchenko in 2010 and “she wants to win," an analyst says. Tymoshenko is blaming the president for wanting “to ruin the coalition.” If the two parties don't sort out differences in 10 days, parties have 30 days to form a new government, after which Yushchenko can call for elections. (More Ukraine stories.)