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Ukraine: Ruling MPs Form Breakaway Parliament, Exclude Opposition

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:24:00 -0700

There were scenes of turmoil in Ukraine's parliament when MPs from the ruling majority walked out, fed up with opposition blocking tactics. But the Party of the Regions and their Communist allies continued to vote on laws, after setting up their own assembly in another building and banning the opposition from entering. Opposition leaders were furious, calling it a Soviet-style coup d'etat. The parliamentary speaker, though, said there was nothing illegal. "The MPs stressed that they have a constitutional majority and according to law I can open the session of parliament," Volodymyr Rybak told reporters. The sight of opposition MPs arguing to be allowed into parliamentary proceedings is an image unlikely to be well-received outside Ukraine. It comes as the government in Kiev is in the middle of negotiating a new IMF bailout of nearly 12-billion euros, and at the same time is trying to convince the European Union that the country is worthy of a free trade agreement. Our correspondent there, Angelina Kariakina, said: "The latest events in parliament not only endanger democratic processes in Ukraine, but also show that the parliamentary crisis has got deeper. And that could lead to the dismissal of parliament."

Raw Video: Ukraine Parliament Erupts in Brawl

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:40:00 -0700

Talk to the hand. Ukrainian politicians spoke with their fists when they got way too worked up over a speech in parliament. The fight erupted when a pro-Russian speaker called his opponents "chanting neo-fascists" when they shouted for him to speak Ukrainian. Proceedings had to be suspended until the guys calmed down.

Lawmakers Brawl as Ukraine's New Parliament Opens

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:04:00 -0800

The launch of the new session of Ukraine's parliament was rough even by the standards of the country's lawmakers. Fistfights broke out as rival lawmakers scrambled to approach the speaker's stand and opposition politicians shoved two suspected defectors out of the hall.

Ultra-Nationalist Party Rises in Ukraine

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:10:00 -0700

Ukraine's far-right Svoboda (Freedom) Party made major gains in the country's recent election and is set to enter parliament for the first time after getting around 10% of the vote. The party's leaders are notorious for making racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic rants.

Ukraine's Ruling Party Claims Election Win

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:07:00 -0700

The official results from Ukraine's election aren't in yet but President Viktor Yanukovych's ruling party has claimed an "indisputable" victory based on exit polls. Party of Regions candidates are expected to win enough races to form a majority in parliament despite a strong showing from pro-Western opposition parties.

Ukrainian Candidates Scrap for Votes Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:27:00 -0700

As Ukranian voters head to the polls on Sunday, the Orange Revolution of 2005 must seem like a distant memory. President Viktor Yushchenko, who was ousted after months of protest in early 2005, reclaimed office in 2010 and now looks set to cement his power.

Ukraine's Top Heavyweight Boxers Turn to Politics

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:13:00 -0700

As Ukraine's elections approach, the country is still dogged by corruption. But the Klitschko brothers, famed for their fights in the ring, are taking on the dark and murky world of Ukrainian politics.

Euro 2012 Soccer Tournament Kicks Off in Poland and Ukraine

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:51:00 -0700

The Euro 2012 football tournament gets under way Friday despite lingering controversy over racism and co-host Ukraine's political turmoil. Defending champion Spain are the favorites as play starts.

Political Football: UK Ministers Boycott England's Soccer Matches in Ukraine

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:07:00 -0700

British government ministers have said they will boycott England's first round Euro 2012 soccer games in Ukraine because of the treatment of the country's jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.