Ukrainian President dissolves Parliament, Calls Elections

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko dissolved Parliament and called the third set of parliamentary elections since the "Orange" revolution in 2004.

Yushchenko satated in a televised address that he "declare(d) the activities of the Verkhovna Rada suspended and called an early parliamentary election."

Yushchenko was said to have held last-ditch talks with political leaders on Wednesday to try to form a viable coalition.

His governing coalition collapsed last month when his party quit its alliance with former ally Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her BYuT bloc. Tymoshenko said she has met all conditions set by the president for reinstating the government.

Tymoshenko is likely to challenge the call, as she has previously said calling an election before late November would be unconstitutional.

A parliamentary race, probably in December, is unlikely to bring much change to the political landscape.

From where I sit in Canada, Yushchenko's actions remind me of Harper's illegal early election call. Judging by the recent collapse in support for Harper, I hope that the Ukrainian people kick Yushchenko's ass as well.