EMBATTLED Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich has faced demands from the opposition for a constitutional change that would seriously curtail his powers.
Mr Yanukovich was still deciding on who to name as his new prime minister yesterday. However, rumours have circulated claiming the president, who is facing mass protests against his rule, could be considering a hardline ally who at the moment heads his administration.
As the Ukrainian central bank intervened again to stop panic demand for dollars weakening the hryvnia currency, Ukraine sharply criticised Germany after comments by its foreign minister that sanctions should be used as a threat unless a political solution was found soon to end the crisis.
At least six people have been killed in the past two weeks in unprecedented violence in Kiev. The centre is now a heavily-barricaded fortified protest zone.
Fierce clashes between riot police and squads of protesters have prompted global concern the ex-Soviet republic might plunge into civil war.
Though there has been no violence in Kiev for several days, Western governments have warned Mr Yanukovich it could flare up again unless he can find a compromise with the opposition.
Mr Yanukovich triggered the uprising on the streets last November when he walked away from a trade deal with the EU in favour of closer economic ties with Russia.
Though his move was rewarded with a multibillion-pound offer of credits and cheap gas from Moscow for Ukraine's ailing economy, it provoked outrage among millions of Ukrainians who dream of a European future for their country.
The US and its EU allies are backing the protesters, though largely with words rather than deeds or cash. Russian President Vladimir Putin's hefty economic lifeline comes with a condition that he forms a government that suits Moscow.
Ukraine quickly reacted after German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier raised the issue of sanctions yesterday.
The foreign ministry called in Berlin's ambassador to Kiev and said later in a statement: "It was emphasised there was a need for an objective assessment of the development of the internal political processes of the situation in our state and that provocative statements should be avoided."
Mr Yanukovich, according to reported comments by a political ally, has said he will not use force to clear the streets, where hundreds of protesters are camped out on Independence Square or in occupied municipal buildings.
The opposition, buoyed by Western expressions of support, pressed in parliament for a return to a previous constitution which would mean Mr Yanukovich losing some of the key powers he has accumulated since being elected in 2010.
These include appointing the prime minister and entire government as well as regional governors.
The opposition also wants an unconditional amnesty for protesters detained in the unrest to be broadened into an unconditional pardon for all those being held by police.
Boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko said: "One of the ways out is the redistribution of powers held by the authorities. After that we can be more certain of changes in the country."
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