Ukraine's constitutional court has backed plans by President Leonid Kuchma to reform parliament and curb its powers.

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.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service