Vote for early poll deepens Ukraine crisis

Article reports that Ukraine’s parliament called on the 1 April 2009 for an early October 2009 presidential election setting the stage for a fresh stand-off in the former Soviet republic which has been plagued by poisonous politics and battered by recession.

Aides of the current President, Viktor Yushchenko said the move was illegal and the president would appeal to the constitutional court. The process could take months to resolve.

EurActiv, 2.4.09: Ukraine calls for early presidential elections http://www.euractiv.com/energy/ukraine-calls-early-presidential-news-221648

BBC News, 1.4.09: Ukraine presidential vote called http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7976325.stm

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