Ukraine parliamentary majority holds session outside of parliament

Ukraine’s parliamentary majority, led by the Party of Regions, held its Apr. 4 session in a building beyond parliament in response to an ongoing blockade mounted by the opposition MPs. During the session, the majority approved several legislative items, which opposition MPs alleged fomented corruption and wouldn’t have been approved under standards parliamentary procedures. Opposition leaders alleged the session was anti-constitutional and President Viktor Yanukovych can’t sign the bills it approved.

A day before, the opposition factions were blocking the parliament tribune to protest the majority’s refusal to approve election for the Kyiv City Council and Kyiv mayor. Party of Regions Parliamentary Faction Chair Oleksandr Yefremov insisted the sessions outside of parliament was legal, as well as the legislation approved.