Ukraine in Full Political Turmoil

Political uncertainty swept Ukraine after President Viktor Yushchenko dissolved parliament in a stand-off with pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

In a televised address Monday night, Yushchenko accused his rivals of using an unconstitutional process to form a parliamentary majority and said there would be an election on May 27.

Thousands of supporters for both camps quickly mobilized for demonstrations Tuesday in Kiev, the Itar-Tass news agency said.

Ukrainian Minister of Defense Anatoly Gritsenko said the armed forces had no role in the political process.

The army will act exclusively within the confines of the current legislation and carry out the order of its supreme commander in chief — President Viktor Yushchenko, Gritsenko said.

For his part, Yanukovych called Yushchenko’s dissolution of the Supreme Council illegal and a usurpation of power, dispersal of the legitimately elected parliament.

The tensions began last month when 11 members who supported Yushchenko switched to Yanukovych’s camp, bringing him closer to a majority in the 450-seat parliament.