KIEV, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko is ready to take "tough" steps on changing senior officials after the bank and government present a report to parliament, the president's chief of staff said on Thursday.
"The president urges parliament on Tuesday to listen to reports from the central bank and the government," chief of staff Viktor Baloga said in a statement. "He is prepared to support the toughest decisions on personnel once that is completed."
Under the constitution, the president is empowered to propose the dismissal of the central bank chairman, subject to parliament's approval, but has no power to remove the prime minister. (Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Ron Askew)