Ukrainian court approves limits on presidential authority News
Ukrainian court approves limits on presidential authority

[JURIST] The Ukrainian Constitutional Court [official website] Tuesday approved by a 10-4 margin a draft law that would alter the country's constitution [text] by limiting presidential authority while strengthening parliamentary control. The measure, to take effective on January 1, 2006, gives parliament the power to appoint the prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister after nomination by the president. The draft law was approved last December [JURIST report] by the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada [official website], and is supported by rivals of President Viktor Yushchenko [Wikipedia profile]. Yushchenko's supporters in parliament have vowed to boycott the reforms. MosNews has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

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