Rada Speaker Lytvyn passes vote of confidence

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada refused to dismiss Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn yesterday in an extraordinary session; he had submitted his resignation after refusing to sign off on a controversial bill on regional language status that was passed earlier this month before parliament broke for summer recess. MPs (mostly from pro-presidential forces) backed Lytvyn with a further vote of confidence. The Rada is due to reconvene for its fall session on September 4.

Brad Wells: The Rada’s vouching for Lytvyn yesterday indicates that majority MPs believe he will eventually sign off on the language law, though Lytvyn has yet to indicate he has had a change of heart.