Ukrainian Government Slams President's Budget Veto

Viktor Yanukovych (left) with President Viktor Yushchenko after Yanukovych's appointment as prime minister in August (ITAR-TASS) December 13, 2006 -- Ukraine's government has criticized President Viktor Yushchenko's decision to veto the country's budget for 2007, calling the move an attempt to destabilize the political situation and to provoke an early election.

Yushchenko refused to sign the budget on December 12, demanding that the government use higher sums to establish the cost of living.

Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych were rivals in the 2004 presidential election and have often clashed since Yanukovych was named prime minister earlier this year.

(UNIAN, Interfax-Ukraine)