[JURIST] Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko [JURIST news archive] on Friday spoke out against pending constitutional changes [JURIST report] that will lead, in his opinion, to an "unbalanced and ineffective government", and suggested a national referendum to decide the matter. The changes to the country's constitution [text], scheduled to take effect on January 1, will strip Yushchenko's power to nominate a prime minister and other key cabinet positions, and also require Ukranian Parliament [official website] approval of all other key appointments. The constitutional changes were part of a reform package [JURIST report] agreed upon by Yushchenko and other party leaders last year to end the disputed Ukrainian presidential election. Reuters has more.