In the middle of major protests against Ukrainian administration, the Rada Supreme Council (unicameral parliament) did not pass a draft resolution for a non-confidence motion, directed at the cabinet of Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov and proposed by the opposition.
186 deputies out of 338 in the plenary session supported a resignation by the government, while 226 votes were needed as a minimum for the motion to pass.
Opposing parties like Batkivshchyna, Udar (Strike) and Liberty collected 168 votes plus 17 more from independent deputies.
One deputy from the ruling Party of Regions supported the initiative, something that stressed internal divisions amid the party of President Victor Yanukovich and Prime Minister Azarov.
The Communist Party did not support the motion but during the session, ratified its long-term request for resignation of the cabinet “because the administration deserves it,” said its leader Peter Simonenko.
To legitimize the vote, the opposition called for the presence of Nikolai Azarov and his cabinet, who attended the plenary.
Surrounded by accusations and booing from opponents, Azarov began his speech by apologizing, on behalf of Government and the President, for police repression against protesters at Independence square on Saturday.
Although he rejected the aggressive actions by police officers he also condemned the forceful violent seizure of public buildings, particularly the Kiev administration building and the House of Unions, as well as the siege against Government headquarters which continues today. (PL)