Ukraine winds back the clock on constitution

Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovich has won much expanded powers, fuelling opposition criticisms that he is displaying authoritarian tendencies.

Kiev’s constitutional court abruptly cancelled a constitution adopted in 2004 that shifted many powers from the president to the parliament on the 1 October 2010, and reinstated the previous 1996 version built around strong presidential powers.

BBC News, 1.10.10: Ukraine court boosts powers of President Yanukovych http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11451447

Deutsche Welle, 1.10.10: Ukraine court hands back powers to president http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6065977,00.html

Ukraine: Presidency website: Press Office, 1.10.10: President’s address to the people http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/18335.html

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