Mr Kuchma, who's already won overwhelming support in a referendum on the issue, wants to be able to dissolve parliament if it fails to pass the budget or fails to form a working majority. He also wants to cut the number of parliamentarians to 300 from 450 and abolish their immunity from prosecution. The constitutional changes now have to be approved by a two thirds majority of parliament - which has submitted its own measures, aimed at retaining more power for itself. The constitutional court is still considering these. President Kuchma initiated the referendum in January to resolve a long-running conflict with hardliners in parliament whom he accused of blocking economic and political reforms.
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