The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, A. Yatseniuk, pointed to inappropriate Actions by Members of the Opposition who persist in blocking the Parliamentary Rostrum.
During the Press Conference on Friday 25 January, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada stated that he was unable to announce the closing of the proceedings of The First Session of Parliament of the 6th Convocation due to the blockade of the rostrum. He said: 'I will not close the Session as I have no lawful grounds for this action. The Session will only be closed after I have announced it closed. At the moment, I am unable to announce this, since the rostrum is blocked and our political colleagues resort to inappropriate actions'.
Commenting on the situation in Parliament, he emphasized that he will not permit a physical confrontation in Ukraine´s Parliament. 'I would once more like to assure you that the show will not go on´, said A.Yatseniuk.
To his way of thinking, ‘The Opposition should understand that Parliament is a tool for the realisation of its rights, and that Parliament is also protection for the Opposition´. ‘In the event that Parliamentarism in Ukraine continues to be destroyed, this will be to no-one´s benefit. Perhaps in other Offices there are those who prefer this situation, but this is not in the interests of either the people of Ukraine or the Ukrainian Parliament´, emphasised A. Yatseniuk.
He advised the auditorium of his proposal to the People's Deputies to continue their work in Committees and Factions. Almost 800 Bills have been introduced on the Floor. Therefore he appealed to Faction Chairmen and Committee Leaders to continue working in Committees to draft the Agenda for the Second Session of The Parliament of Ukraine.
He also proposed to remove those Bills from the agenda, which have 'an ambiguous perception in society'.
As regards the remainder of the Bills on the Agenda, 'all of them had, in principle, general support, but, unfortunately the Parties have not reached agreement'. 'Consequently, as you see, today a physical blockade of The Ukrainian Parliament is happening', said A. Yatseniuk.