ON FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER, THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE CONTINUED ITS PLENARY PROCEEDINGS

Prior to commencement of the Morning Meeting, Deputies of The Party of Region Faction obstructed the Presidium, Government   Benches and Speaker's lectern.

268 People's Deputies Registered to attend the meeting

Opening the Morning Meeting, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Arseniy Yatseniuk, advised the People's Deputies of the Meeting of the Conciliatory Council.

The matter of the election of Prime Minister was again discussed.

A. Yatseniuk reminded those present that The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, had introduced his nomination of Yulia Tymoshenko for the post of Prime Minister. He also emphasized the Standing Orders' provisions requiring that this matter be concluded within five days.

‘With this in view´, said A. Yatseniuk, ‘The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine must consider this matter today, since the 5-day term finishes on Sunday. In the event that this matter is not considered today, it could be formally deferred till Tuesday. However, the BYuT and 'Our Ukraine People's Self-Defence' Factions insist that this matter be considered today'.

He added that these Factions also wish to change the voting method. A. Yatseniuk reminded those present that there are two methods offered for consideration, and that their adoption requires at least 150 votes in favour. The first method is a Roll-call Vote by a show of hands, with an individual   recording of each People's Deputy   in favour, opposed, or abstaining to vote, for each particular candidate. Another appropriate form is voting by 'signed ballots'.   

 A. Yatseniuk emphasized the importance of agreement by all participants of this procedure, and adherence to the Standing Orders, as the necessary conditions for changing the method of voting. Each Faction in entitled to bring up the matter of changing the voting method, and cannot be deprived of this right. This should be done to remove any grounds for complaints concerning the 'Rada' System, or the manner in which any particular People's Deputy voted or did not vote for the Candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said that the opinion of each Faction should be taken into account and everything possible done to guarantee transparent voting.

A. Yatseniuk then provided an update on the matter of the Assignation of Committees considered by the Conciliatory Council. He alerted the Party of Regions Faction to the necessity of submitting its proposals concerning the Committee Membership, which to date is has failed to do.

Following a request   from two Factions, the Chair called for a recess in the sitting.

After this interval   A. Yatseniuk informed the auditorium of the ongoing protracted proceedings of the Conciliatory Council. The Council has moved to adopt a common decision on the voting method changes, so that no doubts could be cast on the reliability of voting for the appointment to high ranking posts, i.e. that of   The Prime Minister of Ukraine.

A. Yatseniuk advised the Meeting of the condition imposed by the Party of Regions Faction, with regard to the voting on Tuesday. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine suggested that at first they adopt   the Agenda for Tuesday consisting of five items: the formation of   the Government and a number of related matter, i.e. dismissal of The Prime Minister, dismissal of Government Membership, election of the Government, and termination of People's Deputies' Authorities.

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine then moved to consider the formation of Committees and Governing Bodies at the Evening Sitting on Tuesday. He said that the Members of the Conciliatory Council had promised to resolve all contradictions by Tuesday. A. Yatseniuk stressed, however, that this does not interfere with the voting for Prime Minister, as these are two independent matters.

He then said that the Members of The Conciliatory Council had announced they required a further 15 minutes in order to make their final decisions. He called on those engaged in The Conciliatory Council to come into the Assembly Room to vote on the matters of  the Agenda and changes in the voting method.

After this, he announced a further recess in the Sitting.

Following this interval, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked all Faction Leaders for their unanimous decision taken at the Conciliatory Council and signed by Leaders of all Factions.

A. Yatseniuk moved to consider the Agenda for Tuesday. The final decision required the Formation of Government Membership to be considered on Tuesday. This should be the No.1   item on the Agenda.

The Chair   read out the complete list of matters for consideration on Tuesday:   the Appointment of The Prime Minister of Ukraine; Dismissal of Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych from the Post of Prime Minister; Termination of   authorities of the acting membership of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; Formation of   Membership of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; early Termination of Authorities of those People's Deputies appointed   Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; Election of the First Vice-Chairman and Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Assignation of Executive   positions in Committees of   The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and The Ad Hoc Privatisation Supervisory Panel; and Appointment of Chairmen, First Vice-Chairmen and Secretaries of Committees of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and The Ad Hoc Privatisation Supervisory Panel.

The Chair announced that the Conciliatory Council had unanimously carried the motion to change the method of voting. Therefore this matter will   now be put before   The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, for urgent and immediate consideration.

A. Yatseniuk called on the People's Deputies to continue the morning proceedings until all decisions had been taken.

This motion was seconded by 274 votes. The Party of Regions Faction did not vote.

The People's Deputies then adopted the decision on the Agenda for the Morning Plenary Meeting of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 18 December 2007. According to this decision, the People's Deputies will consider and   resolve the following matters: Appointment of The Prime Minister of Ukraine; Dismissal of Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych from the Post of Prime Minister; Termination of Authorities of the Acting Membership of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; Formation of   Membership of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; the early Termination of Authorities of those People's Deputies appointed   Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine'; Election of the First Vice-Chairman and Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; assignation of Executive positions in the Committees of   The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and The Ad Hoc Privatisation Supervisory Panel;   and Appointment of Chairmen, First Vice-Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Secretaries of Committees of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and   The Ad Hoc Privatisation Supervisory Panel.

At the end of the Sitting, the People's Deputies adopted the decision on the procedural matter concerning the change of method of voting for the Candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine, and the Membership of the Cabinet of Ministers of   Ukraine.

A. Yatseniuk explained the Voting Procedure. Each People's Deputy (who has registered and wishes to vote) shall stay in his seat. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine shall read out the names of People's Deputies, one by one, in alphabetical order. On hearing his/her name, the People's Deputy, who votes 'in favour', shall raise his/her hand   and say 'Aye'. Those opposed or abstaining shall declare their decision whilst remaining in their places, and without raising their hands. When each decision is declared, the video and audio system at first turns on the microphone of this particular People's Deputy, and then starts the   video recording of this People's Deputy. The voting results are supervised by the Returning Board which issues the relevant Report on the voting outcome.

A. Yatseniuk explained that the above voting method will be recorded in the Verbatim and presented in the Report issued by the Returning Board.

The People's Deputies seconded the decision on the change of voting method for the Appointment of The Prime Minister by 253 votes.

The Morning Sitting was then closed.

The next Plenary Meeting of the First Session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will be held on Tuesday 18 December.