ON DECEMBER 12 THE FIRST SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION STARTED.

The first plenary meeting of the first session started at 12.00 p.m..

431 people’s deputies registered for participation in the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of the Preparatory Deputy Group Volodymyr Lytvyn announced the termination of powers of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the sixth convocation.

The oldest people’s deputy Yukhym Zvyahilskyi declared the first session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the seventh convocation open.

The Veriovka National Academic Choir performed the State Anthem of Ukraine.

The Head of the Preparatory Deputy Group V. Lytvyn informed that the people’s deputy oath was taken by 444 members of the Parliament. Ye. Marmazov has not taken the oath due to a serious reason.

The Chairman informed that to hold plenary meetings it was necessary to form the Interim Presidium. V. Lytvyn noted that the Interim Presidium of the first session shall consist of six people’s deputies. It should include the Head of the Preparatory Deputy Group and one representative from each political party elected to the Parliament.

V. Lytvyn informed about the members of the Interim Presidium determined by representatives of political parties: from the Party of Regions – people’s deputy Oleksandr Yefremov, from the All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna” – people’s deputy Andriy Kozhemyakin, from the “UDAR” party – people’s deputy Vitaliy Kovalchuk, from the All-Ukrainian Union “Svoboda” – Ruslan Koshulynskyi, from the Communist Party – people’s deputy Petro Symonenko.

V. Lytvyn invited the members of Temporary Presidium to take their seats and start performing their duties.

Members of the Interim Presidium of the first session took their places.

The Chairman announced that following the inventory of items to be considered at the first session of the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh convocation are the issues concerning the election of the Chairman of the Verkhovn aRada of Ukraine and formation of factions.

V. Lytvyn informed that the Preparatory Deputy Group suggests allocating 1 hour for faction formation. At the same time, the Preparatory Deputy Group determined the necessity to establish a Counting Board.

V. Lytvyn noted that at the evening meeting, after announcement of faction formation and their composition, it would  be possible to solve the organizational problem of establishing the Counting Board.

The Chairman granted one minute to every representative of political forces represented in the parliament, as well as to the representative of non-affiliated deputies.

Representatives of “UDAR”, “Batkivshchyna” and “Svoboda” stressed that the work of the new Verkhovna Rada cannot start from violation of the Constitution of Ukraine. They drew attention to the fact that two people’s deputies – A. Tabalov and O. Tabalov – have not taken oath, and, therefore, the cannot be considered elected. They noted that under the Law “On the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine” the Communist Party cannot form a faction.

The Chairman suggested instructing the Verkhovna  Rada Secretariate to prepare information abpout all documents – how people’s deputies under the question signed their oaths; and the Chairman would inform about it during the evening meeting

V. Lytvyn informed that the Preparatory Deputy Group suggests a break for 2 hours for formation of deputy factions and simultaneous adjournment of the morning meeting.

The Head of the Preparatory Deputy Group informed that the members of the Interim Presidium would be chairing the sessions starting from the next one. The first to preside would be the representative of the largest faction of the Party of Regions Oleksandr Yefremov.

The Chairman adjourned the morning meeting.

The evening meeting was chaired by the member of the Interim Presidium Oleksandr Yefremov.

The Chairman informed that the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat processed the materials concerning formation of deputy factions and groups for their correspondence to the Rules of Procedure and provided information on registration of deputy factions and groups.

O. Yefremov informed that the five factions were formed and registered: the faction of the Party of Regions (included 210 peoples deputies, the head of the faction – Oleksandr Yefremov); faction of the All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna” (included 99 people’s deputies, headed by Arseniy Yatseniuk); faction of the “UDAR” party (included 42 people’s deputies, headed by Vitaliy Klychko); faction of the All-Ukrainian Union “Svoboda” (included 37 people’s deputies, headed by Oleh Tiahnybok); and the faction of the Communist Party of Ukraine (included 33 people’s deputies, headed by Petro Symonenko).

After the announcement, representatives of “Batkivshchyna”, “UDAR”, and “Svoboda” factions expressed their discontent with the fact that the CPU faction had been formed.

The Chairman reminded them of article 58 of the Law “On the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”, under which a party that had overcome the 5% barrier at elections can form a faction in the parliament.

Representatives of factions spoke on procedural issues. The speeches by representatives of  “Batkivshchyna”, “UDAR”, and “Svoboda” factions pertained to the fact that formation of a faction by the Communist Party was a violation of the law.

The speakers demanded also to explain who called special police subdivisions “Berkut” to the Verkhovna Rada and why were they not letting people’s deputies into the building?

Representatives of the Party of Regions and CPU factions asked their colleagues to calm down and start working effectively.

A. Kozhemyakin proposed to announce a break.

The Chairman informed that the next item on the agenda is the report of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of the previous convocation on the state of legislative work.

The Chairman announced the issue of forming the Counting Board.

Representative of “Batkivshchyna” surrounded the presidium and demanded a break.

O. Yefremov refused to announce a break due to the lack of powers to do so.

After consideration, the Chairman announced a technical break for 30 minutes.

During the break, people’s deputies from “Batkivshchyna” and “Svoboda” factions  surrounded the rostrum.

In some time the rostrum was freed.

O. Yefremov asked the staff of the Secretariat to check the work of the “Rada” system.

Head of the “Batkivshchyna” faction A. Yatseniuk noted that it is necessary to elect the Counting Board that should hold its meeting, elect its head and deputy head and report on the state of the “Rada” system.

He noted also that voting for candidates to the office of the Prime Minister can only be possible after performance of the Law “On the Cabinet of Minister”, namely after the committees are formed that the candidate is considered by all committees.

Representatives of factions took the floor. Speakers from “Batkivshchyna”, “UDAR”, and “Svoboda” factions drew attention to “illegality” of the Communist faction.

Member of the Interim Presidium Ruslan Koshulynskyi informed about composition of the Counting Board. He noted also that members of the Commission should gather for a meeting to elect their head, deputy head and secretary.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Resolution “On the election of the Counting Board” by 236 votes.

By 228 votes people’s deputies supported continuation of the plenary meeting till all agenda items are considered.

The Chairman announced a break.

During the break, people’s deputies from “Batkivshchyna” and “Svoboda” factions  blocked the rostrum.

The meeting will be resumed on Thursday, December 13.