KIEV, Feb. 19 – Five lawmakers known for their personal loyalty to President Viktor Yushchenko quit the Our Ukraine party on Tuesday, testing the strength of the government coalition, which controls only a slim majority in Parliament.

The lawmakers--Mykhaylo Polianchych, Ihor Kril, Viktor Topolov, Oksana Bilozir and Vasyl Petiovka--quit citing “serious, negative and irreversible trends” in the party.