Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada opened its first session this morning with new deputies elected from the September 30 elections being sworn in. According to the constitution, the new Rada has 30 days from today to seat a new government. Nick Piazza: We don’t expect any major announcements today as the first day generally focuses on technical matters and the organization of different committees. The first test for the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our Ukraine Party in terms of forming a government will likely be the vote for speaker. Tymoshenko has made it clear she is for the sitting of the government as fast as possible and is willing to support Our Ukraine’s candidate for speaker. Whether the President and his wing of Our Ukraine are willing to open the door to Tymoshenko’s return remains to be seen.