Parliamentary opposition obstructs election of speaker, PM

The parliamentary majority’s plans to elect the parliamentary speaker and prime minister at the Dec. 12 session were undermined by opposition MPs, who blocked the presidium, igniting some brawls. The opposition, now reinforced by the radical right Freedom party, alleged the majority, led by the ruling Party of Regions, engaged in numerous violations of parliamentary rules, most notably allowing the Communist Party to form a faction bypassing a law. The opposition also alleged the prime minister can’t be elected without parliamentary committees and factions being properly formed. On the morning of the session, the Party of Regions registered a resolution nominating Volodymyr Rybak as speaker. The Regions-led majority will attempt to approve the nominations in today’s session.