Opposition Lawmakers Block Kyiv City Council Session

An opposition protester talks to riot policemen guarding the Kyiv city administration compound on July 11.

Ukrainian opposition lawmakers have blocked a session of the Kyiv City Council, calling it illegitimate.

About 500 opposition activists scuffled with security personnel in front of the council's entrance on July 11.

Parliamentary deputies with the opposition Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (UDAR), Batkivshchyna (Fatherland), and Svoboda (Liberty) parties then forced their way inside.

The opposition is demanding that elections for the City Council and the mayor's office in the capital be held this year.

The current council's term officially ended in June.

The last elections were held in 2008, two years earlier than scheduled, amid corruption allegations.

In May, the Ukrainian Constitutional Court ruled that the next city council elections should be held in 2015, even though the previous elections were held early.

Kyiv acting Mayor Halyna Hereha has said the council will continue working until the next elections.

Based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax