Ukraine: Orange ex-allies ask for another week to form coalition

The main stumbling block appeared to be who gets the parliamentary speaker's job, with the earlier debate over the powerful premier's job all but decided. Many lawmakers suggested that President Viktor Yushchenko's party was ready to concede the premiership again to his former rival, Yulia Tymoshenko.

Photo: Ukraine: Orange ex-allies ask for another week to form coalition

The decision to call a recess until June 14, which won the support of 227 lawmakers, sparked an outcry in the 450-seat parliamentary chamber. The recess raises questions about the continuing presence of some 200 U.S. Marines on Ukrainian soil and plans for a Ukrainian-British maneuver, which required parliamentary approval to start on June 12. Yushchenko had asked parliament to urgently grant permission for foreign troops to be on Ukrainian soil.

Coalition talks have been difficult since no party won a majority in the March, the AP reports.