Ukraine parliament votes to fire 2 president-appointed ministers

Procedures to dismiss Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk and Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko were launched in the Supreme Rada earlier this week by the governing coalition led by pro-Kremlin Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, in an apparent attempt to further weaken President Viktor Yushchenko's power.

The motion to fire Tarasyuk was passed by the 450-assembly with 247 votes in favor, well clear of the necessary 226 votes, and Lutsenko's dismissal got through with 248 votes.

The Rada also voted for the leader of the Socialist Party faction, Vasiliy Tsushko, to replace Lutsenko. The Socialists are part of Yanukovych's coalition, along with his Party of Regions and the Communist Party.

Yushchenko criticized the premier and parliament for trying to oust Tarasyuk, Lutsenko, and other president-appointed ministers, calling such attempts "destabilizing," and said he would challenge the move with the Constitutional Court.

Under Ukraine's Supreme Law, the president is entitled to appoint the ministers of foreign affairs and defense.

Tarasyuk, who has been a leading proponent of the president's bid to join NATO and the European Union, also said he would challenge parliament's decision in court.

"I can be dismissed from the post of foreign minister only on a presidential motion," he said. RIA Novosti