20 October 2010, 17:30
Mykola Tomenko: Although I am a Non-Faction Deputy, I still represent Ukrainian and European Opposition
Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stated that although the amendments to the Law "On the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" fixed that leaders of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine must be non-faction deputies, he would still represent Ukrainian and European opposition.
As the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was harmonized with the old-new Constitution, the provision of the former Standing Orders was restored, which stated that the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the First Deputy Chairperson can not be the members of deputy factions and deputy groups. He reminded that the Law "On the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" had been published on Monday.
However, M.Tomenko stressed that "it is not the Standing Orders, but the personal position of every deputy that determines their activity." "Although the amendments to the Standing Orders turned me into a non-faction deputy, I still represent Ukrainian and European opposition," he stressed.