Parliament language bill deadlock continues

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said Friday that he would not sign a law passed by the general assembly that would introduce “regional languages” in Ukraine, preventing it from being sent on to the president for his approval (see our news of July 4). At the same time, in its last meeting before summer vacation, the Rada refused to put on its agenda consideration of Lytvyn’s resignation.

Brad Wells: Though the Rada is officially closed now for the summer, the Party of Regions is actively seeking ways to get the regional languages bill approved. President Viktor Yanukovych summoned Lytvyn to his residence last week to talk about the impasse and negotiations are expected to continue for the next few weeks. If a compromise is found, there is talk of reconvening the Rada for a couple extraordinary sessions at the end of the month.