Event: Arseniy Yatsenyuk, former Speaker of Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), rejected an offer by President Viktor Yanukovych for a high position in the Cabinet of Ministers. An economist and lawyer, Yatsenyuk finished fourth in Ukraine’s 2010 Presidential Election and was shortlisted by the Yanukovych camp for the position of Prime Minister. "I have proposed Arseniy Yatsenyuk a high post in the future government, which I believe is to be formed in the next few days. But Yatsenyuk declined and said he should move to the opposition. I believe this will be a constructive opposition which won't harm the country," Yanukovych said Tuesday.

Impact: The news is neutral to positive for Ukraine.

Rationale: Although Yatsenyuk would have been an agent of compromise for a divided Verkhovna Rada, Yanukovych’s statement suggests that a coalition has already been finalized and that the new Cabinet of Ministers will be appointed sooner than expected. With the passing of a controversial amendment last week making it easy for individual members of Parliament to switch coalitions, the Yanukovych camp should have no further barriers in forming a functioning government.

Tags: Politics, Politics