Rada rejects 2010 budget, avoids vote on minister posts

Yesterday the Verkhovna Rada failed to approve the 2010 draft budget proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers, with only 204 votes in favor, short of the 226 required to pass the bill. The draft budget drew criticism seemingly from all sides. The budget will have to go up for consideration by the Rada again during the week of October 19. Yesterday the Rada did not take up the issue of filling several vacant ministerial posts, including Finance Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Speaker Volodymyr Lyvtyn said that the postponement was requested by the Yulia TYmoshenko Bloc, with the support of other parties.