ABSTRACT
The 'Orange Revolution' was strikingly similar to the East European events of 1989. Crowds were calling for the government's resignation. Activist groups – notably the youth movement Pora – demanded radical changes to the existing political regime and expressed their anger and complete distrust of the ruling elite which was massively corrupt and recruited from the old communist officials. The rule of law and principle of legal and constitutional negotiations were absolutely central throughout the revolutionary process. Necessary compromises in the constitutional reform should pacify the eastern parts of Ukraine supporting Victor Yanukovich and close ties with Moscow. At the same time, they should open access of the opposition to political power and initiate necessary reforms awaited by the public protesting against the existing regime and hoping to finally have democratic and accountable government. The constitutional change means that the Ukrainian constitutional system of a presidential republic will be significantly transformed and adopt a number of features typical of parliamentarianism.
