May 13, 1999. Copyright 1999. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

YELTSIN IMPEACHMENT Ð WHAT NEXT?

LONDON, May 13, 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 following YeltsinÕs sacking of Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and his eight-month-old coalition government.

The head of the impeachment commission will outline five counts, including starting the 1994-96 war in rebellious Chechnya and setting tanks on RussiaÕs parliament in a political upheaval in 1993.

The five impeachment counts charge that Yeltsin instigated the 1991 Soviet collapse, improperly used force against hard-liners in 1993, launched the botched 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