Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ukraine's Opposition Again Blocks Parliament Podium


Ukraine's Opposition Blocks Parliament Again
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:00:51 0:00

Opposition parliamentary deputies began their latest effort to block the work of parliament on March 5, occupying the podium to protest a ruling party campaign to expel deputy Serhiy Vlasenko. (Video by RFE/RL's Ukraine Service)

Opposition factions in the Ukrainian legislature have again blocked the parliament's podium.

Deputies with the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (Udar), led by professional heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko, and members of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) and Svoboda (Liberty) parties said on March 5 that they were blocking the parliament's work to protest an attempt of the ruling Party of Regions to strip deputy Serhiy Vlasenko of his mandate.

Vlasenko is a lawyer of the jailed Batkivshchyna's leader, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

The deputies also said that some 20 deputies in parliament have dual citizenship, which is a violation of the constitution.

Last month, the three opposition factions blocked the parliament's podium for more than two weeks.

The row ended with the adoption of a new law requesting the physical presence of lawmakers during voting.

Based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG