KIEV, Dec. 1 – President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine group on Monday nominated Ivan Pliushch, Yushchenko’s long-time ally, as the speaker of Parliament in a move that may pave the way for creating a grand coalition.

The nomination comes days after Yushchenko regained formal leadership of Our Ukraine and the issue is expected to be debated in Parliament on Tuesday.

Pliushch, the only Our Ukraine lawmaker who had never backed its coalition with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, recently called for creation of a grand coalition involving Our Ukraine, Tymoshenko Bloc and the Regions Party.