Ukraine MPs given 2 days to pass election laws

KIEV, May 29 (Reuters) Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko suspended today a decree dissolving parliament and gave the chamber two days to pass laws needed to hold a September election.

After months of crisis, pro-Western Yushchenko and his Moscow-leaning rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, agreed at the weekend to hold a parliamentary election on September 30.

Yushchenko's April decree had dissolved the assembly and set the election for June 24. But during weeks of wrangling over dates and procedures, it became apparent that no new poll could be held before September.

The deal now hinges on the unpredictable assembly which, in line with the weekend accord, must amend electoral law and approve other legislation and a voters' list.

Yushchenko's suspended his April decree for May 29-30, effectively giving the legislature two days to complete the necessary procedures.

Parliament was due to go into session later today.

The president seeks long-term NATO and European Union membership for the ex-Soviet state. He dissolved parliament on the grounds Yanukovich was illegally poaching his supporters to expand his majority in the chamber and change the constitution.

Hours after agreeing on the date, Yanukovich, popular in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, said he would go ahead with the election only if legal norms were fully respected.

Reuters AGL DB1344