KIEV, Sept. 19 ??“ Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko??™s party on Monday has been pushing for a bill that would reduce President Viktor Yushchenko??™s powers starting Oct. 1, three months sooner than scheduled.

Tymoshenko has been meeting other leaders, including former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Yushchenko??™s key rival at the last year??™s presidential election, seeking to secure backing for the bill. Yanukovych, who controls the second largest group in Parliament, backed the idea.