Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday announced the dissolution of the parliament following the collapse last month of Ukraine's pro-Western coalition government.
"In conformity with the Ukrainian constitution, I halt the parliament's powers and announce parliamentary elections," Yushchenko said in a televised address to the nation.
The government collapsed in September after Yushchenko's party pulled out in protest at Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's decision to support a bid by the pro-Russian opposition to reduce the president's powers.
Under Ukraine's constitution, the president can dissolve parliament if a new government is not formed within 30 days of the previous one collapsing.
