Ukraine braced for more protests

Thousands are set to hold further protests on Wednesday

Thousands of protesters are preparing to stage further demonstrations in Ukraine over the political crisis which is dividing the country.

PM Viktor Yanukovych has told the cabinet not to prepare for a snap poll called by the president until a ruling by the constitutional court.

Mr Yanukovych's supporters are due to stage protests in the capital Kiev and in his eastern power base of Donetsk.

President Viktor Yushchenko's office says poll preparations are going ahead.

Parliament, where the prime minister has a majority, has continued to sit in defiance of Mr Yushchenko's decree on Monday to dissolve the assembly.

The prime minister's supporters have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether or not the president had the right to dissolve parliament.

The pro-Western Mr Yushchenko accuses his pro-Russia rival of trying to usurp power by increasing his parliamentary majority in an unconstitutional manner.

Failed meeting

The pair met on Tuesday in Mr Yanukovych's office, but Mr Yushchenko failed to gain his agreement to implement the decree, which orders an early poll on 27 May.

Ukraine reaction to the snap election called by the president In pictures

The political stand-off has echoes of the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept Mr Yushchenko to power, although so far fewer protesters have taken to the streets.

On Tuesday, Mr Yanukovych told supporters massed outside parliament that he would try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll.

"He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said.

MPs' switch

Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority.

Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.

HAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your comments

If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.

Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.

But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6525143.stm