The ‘European Solidarity’ faction continues to block the podium of the Verkhovna Rada, insisting on the resignation of the current government and the formation of a new parliamentary coalition. Representatives of the political force occupied the podium after the speeches of other factions, thereby making it impossible to further consider the agenda items.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Speaker’s Position and Course of Events
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk addressed the leader of ‘European Solidarity’ Petro Poroshenko for clarification regarding the faction’s intentions. In response, the speaker stated that due to the faction’s blockade of the podium, the parliament cannot consider important bills, including issues related to the translation of the international Convention and the removal of the Russian language from official documents. As a result, Stefanchuk announced a break in the plenary session.
“Dear colleagues, I inform you that today we had (on the agenda – ed.) a whole series of very important laws… Including issues related to the translation of the Convention, where the Russian language needed to be removed. Today, the faction you see is blocking the consideration of this law. Unfortunately, I am experiencing a negative impact on me as a public figure… I am forced to announce a break in our plenary session.”
Opposition Demands and Reasons for the Blockade
Co-chair of ‘European Solidarity’ Iryna Herashchenko explained that the faction resorts to blocking because it considers the actions of the parliamentary majority and the government insufficient to resolve the political crisis. According to her, six years ago, the ‘servants’ allowed the loss of the parliament’s subjectivity by allowing the Office of the President to control the work of the legislative body and the Cabinet of Ministers. Despite the dismissal of certain officials, in the opposition’s view, the systemic problem persists and requires deep changes in all branches of power.
Recall that on November 18, the faction already blocked the podium during the planning of the consideration of the resignation of Minister of Justice Herman Halushchenko and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk. The next day, the blockade of the podium continued.