April 8, 1999. Copyright 1999. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

YELTSIN FACES IMPEACHMENT VOTE

LONDON, April 8, Graphic News: BORIS YELTSINÕS Communist opponents have been trying to push him out of power since he dismantled the Soviet Union in 1991. But after five failed attempts to start impeachment proceedings in the Duma Ð the lower house of parliament Ð they may finally be getting somewhere.

At 68, Yeltsin is limping towards the end of his presidency and Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov has taken on many of the PresidentÕs responsibilities after YeltsinÕs repeated bouts of heart problems. On April 15 the Duma is due to start debating whether to impeach the president over his role in the Chechnya war and other matters.

The five impeachment counts charge that Yeltsin instigated the 1991 Soviet collapse, improperly used force against hard-liners in 1993, launched the botched 1994-96 war in Chechnya, brought RussiaÕs military to ruin and waged genocide against the Russian people with economic policies which led to an impoverished and demoralized population.

Opponents have tried impeachment before, without success, but those debates involved much less legal preparation. 

Approval in the Duma requires 300 votes, two-thirds of the 450-seat chamber. Under the constitution, if the Duma votes for impeachment, the measure goes simultaneously to the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court.

If the courts uphold the motion, the 178-seat upper house of parliament Ð the Federation Council Ð must approve it with a two-thirds vote before RussiaÕs first freely elected president can be removed from office.

The upper house vote must be held within three months of the lower house vote. The prime minister would then take over the country and new presidential elections would be held within three months.

/ENDS
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press