6 September 2011
Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, will open its fall session today. President Viktor Yanukovych is among those due to speak at the opening ceremony, which will also include a tribute to the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Brad Wells: One of the first issues on the agenda tomorrow is pension reform, which was initially approved before summer recess but not sent to the president for signature due to technical inconsistencies. It is one of key demands from the International Monetary Fund before renewing Ukraine’s USD 16 bln loan program. This month the Rada is also expected to see a draft of the 2012 state budget. Other items on the fall agenda are amendments to the election law, under which the October 2012 parliamentary poll will be run, and the legislative framework for agricultural land reform.