Sacked Ukrainian Prime Minister Bemoans Democracy's Defeat

The Ukrainian Supreme Rada (Parliament) passed a no-confidence vote on Prime Minister Victor Yushchenko and his Cabinet here today. A subsequent vote count revealed that 263 out of 409 deputies voted in favor of the cabinet's resignation and 69 voted against; 24 MPs abstained and 53 failed to vote. The discussion of the Cabinet's responsibility took place in the presence of the Prime Minister and Cabinet members. The 112-strong Communist faction, the largest parliamentary faction, suggested discussing the issue of the Cabinet's responsibility. Yushchenko himself mounted the rostrum, thanking the Cabinet ministers for their work. Talking to Rada members, Yushchenko said he regretted the defeat of Ukrainian democracy. I'm stepping down in order to return and carry on with the incipient reforms, Yushchenko stressed. My political career won't end with the Cabinet's resignation; I'll find a way to serve Ukraine, he added. The Ukrainian Constitution states expressly that the sacked cabinet can keep on working for another 60 consecutive days until the President submits to parliament a new nominee for the prime ministerial post.