“Nothing significant has happened over these two months; one can speak only of the delay in forming the coalition and of the fact that this delay is happening primarily on the part of the “Our Ukraine” bloc,” said Volodymyr Filenko, deputy head of the “Reforms and Order” party, commenting on the process of creating a parliamentary-government coalition. \n \n“Obviously, this is connected with the fact that within the “Our Ukraine” bloc there are several centers of influence, or several points of view regarding possible coalition options. And only the President has the power to bring this bloc to its senses. There is, in principle, no other center around which they would rally,” noted Volodymyr Filenko. “At the same time, one can state that the President is making every effort to publicly distance himself from the process of forming the coalition, although we know that this is not so, and he is looking for a way out. And this is entirely understandable. The key reason, obviously, is the reluctance to see Tymoshenko as prime minister. How well-founded such a position is can be argued for as long as one likes. I do not rule out that opponents of Tymoshenko as prime minister have certain, let us say, arguments that could equally be made regarding any other candidate.” \n \nVolodymyr Filenko emphasized that “there are real election results: BYuT among the “orange” forces received the largest number of votes, and it is impossible not to take this into account.” \n \n“Recent statements indicate that, after all, following difficult deliberation, the President is leaning toward supporting the “orange” coalition and, most likely, we will see such a coalition of three factions and Prime Minister Tymoshenko,” noted the deputy head of the PRP. “How long this will last depends on many components. I am quite certain (and statements by leaders of “Our Ukraine,” including Yekhanurov, indicate this) that “coalition” consultations are being held with the Party of Regions. Perhaps the calculation is this: let there be, so to speak, an “orange” coalition and Tymoshenko as prime minister, but let us do everything possible to ensure that such a coalition is ineffective and short-lived – and then we will have the opportunity to explain to the people why we are entering into a coalition with the “regions.” \n \n“At the same time, I would like to draw attention to one circumstance,” noted Volodymyr Filenko. “If one believes the rumors that are being actively circulated in the press and in political circles, then the “regions” guarantee Yushchenko support in the 2009 presidential elections. But we should not deceive ourselves, because the Party of Regions can say whatever it likes, but its electorate, no matter how much the party calls on them to vote for Yushchenko, will vote as it sees fit, depending on the real socio-economic situation.” \n \nVolodymyr Filenko also emphasized: “I believe that, ‘honestly speaking,’ there should be an ‘orange’ coalition, and I would sincerely wish this coalition every success. Because, despite the mistakes of the ‘orange’ government, the people in the 2006 elections again gave a majority to three political forces from among the ‘orange’ – and to disregard this trust and enter into an unnatural alliance with the Party of Regions would be dishonest and unfair toward one’s own electorate. Moreover, it is impossible to delay the formation of the coalition any further – so much time has already been wasted, the situation in the state is deteriorating: taxes are no longer being paid, there are problems with tariffs, with energy carriers, etc., and therefore every day of delay weakens the government locally and at the center.”