Ukraine Parliament Breaks Deadlock
Viktor Yanukovych (file photo) (RFE/RL)
Work resumed after Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the opposition Party of Regions said an agreement had been reached with the new governing coalition on most of its demands.
"Today, at this time, we are unblocking the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and the Verkhovna Rada will begin its plenary session. Period," Yanukovich told lawmakers to applause.
The pro-Russian Party of Regions began blocking parliament early last week to demand a greater share of key parliamentary positions. The blockade has further delayed attempts by the three parties who were behind Ukraine's 2004 Orange revolution to form a government.
Later today, lawmakers are expected to vote on the coalition's nomination for speaker. Initially, the coalition wanted to hold the votes on a new speaker and a new prime minister in a single ballot, but the Party of Regions rejected the proposal.
(UNIAN, Reuters)
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