The President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko has formally appealed to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to decide if the controversial law on the cabinet of ministers is constitutional. That’s what the head of the state disclosed to the press yesterday evening. He reiterated that the measure contradicted the constitution.

As the press-service of the Ukrainian President informs, Viktor Yushchenko reminded reporters that the Constitutional Court had ruled on July 7, 1998, that the President could veto any law if it contained amendments that were inconsistent with presidential proposals.

»I am convinced we must adhere to the constitution to resolve such legal collisions,» he noted.

Mr. Yushchenko complained the law contained a few «particularly provocative» provisions. One of them is the right given to the ruling coalition to nominate prime minister, foreign minister and defense minister. «There is only one question: Why do we need the president in this country if this mission can be fulfilled by a coalition of deputy factions? This is a constitutional violation. This is usurpation of power,» the president announced.

Another unconstitutional provision makes government officials sign presidential decrees for approval. «Article 11 of the law stipulates that presidential decrees and orders cannot be published if not signed by the prime minister or ministers that are in charge of their fulfillment. However, part 3 of article 106 states that decrees and orders issued by the President of Ukraine must be obeyed throughout Ukraine. In addition to that, presidential decrees that have to be approved are issued within his powers, and so he cannot give this right to other officials or executive offices,» he said.

»The government cannot live and work with a forged passport,» he said.

Viktor Yushchenko also added that his conversation with Speaker Moroz and Prime Minister Yanukovych on Monday morning had focused on how to end the cabinet law conflict.