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Ukraine crisis: Opposition MPs seek to curb president's powers Ukraine crisis: Opposition MPs seek to curb president's powers
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's opposition MPs have been calling for constitutional changes that would give parliament greater control over the formation of governments.Ukraine's opposition MPs have been calling for constitutional changes that would give parliament greater control over the formation of governments.
They are pushing for laws that will reduce the power of the president, as parliament begins a new term. They are pushing for laws that will reduce the power of the president.
There were emotional scenes as government and opposition MPs debated in parliament. There were emotional scenes as government and opposition MPs debated at the session starting parliament's new term.
Opposition leaders are ramping up pressure on President Viktor Yanukovych after weeks of anti-government unrest.Opposition leaders are ramping up pressure on President Viktor Yanukovych after weeks of anti-government unrest.
The leader of the opposition Udar (Punch) Party and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitaliy Klitschko, told parliament new elections were crucial to regain the trust of the people.The leader of the opposition Udar (Punch) Party and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitaliy Klitschko, told parliament new elections were crucial to regain the trust of the people.
"I call on everyone to take the constitutional route and stop dictatorship. Let us reinstate the constitution that allows MPs to take decisions instead of just pushing buttons."I call on everyone to take the constitutional route and stop dictatorship. Let us reinstate the constitution that allows MPs to take decisions instead of just pushing buttons.
"We must also call elections in Kiev and cities in regions across Ukraine, where they [have been] overdue for many months. This is how we can regain society's trust." But the leader of President Yanukovych's Regions Party in parliament, Oleksandr Yefremov, accused the opposition of being irresponsible.
But the leader of President Yanukovych's Party of Regions in parliament, Oleksandr Yefremov, accused the opposition of being irresponsible.
In an emotional speech delivered amid shouting, he warned of consequences if the conflict continued.In an emotional speech delivered amid shouting, he warned of consequences if the conflict continued.
"Ukraine is going through perhaps the most dramatic period in its recent history. Any further escalation of the conflict may lead to civil confrontation and result in catastrophic consequences," he said."Ukraine is going through perhaps the most dramatic period in its recent history. Any further escalation of the conflict may lead to civil confrontation and result in catastrophic consequences," he said.
"We still have no answers to the questions [of] who controls the street and is responsible for the extremist actions, seizure of state buildings and various acts of provocation, who directs detachments of combatants to seize state institutions in the regions," he said.
At one point during the proceedings, some opposition MPs shouted "murderers!".At one point during the proceedings, some opposition MPs shouted "murderers!".
They were referring to the death of protesters over recent weeks as anti-government activists clashed with riot police.They were referring to the death of protesters over recent weeks as anti-government activists clashed with riot police.
Protesters blame the government for the deaths, but officials reject these accusations.Protesters blame the government for the deaths, but officials reject these accusations.
On Monday, President Yanukovych's representative in parliament told the AFP news agency that the president could call early elections if there were no other ways out of the crisis. On Monday, President Yanukovych's representative in parliament, Yuriy Miroshnychenko, told the AFP news agency that the president could call early elections if there were no other ways out of the crisis.
Yuriy Miroshnychenko said the president spoke to MPs from his Regions Party last week and told them that early parliamentary and presidential elections were a possibility.
Shifting allegiancesShifting allegiances
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of the largest opposition party, Fatherland, said a return to the 2004 constitution would "cancel the dictatorial authority of the president and transfer the right of governing the country to the Ukrainian people". The opposition says return to the 2004 constitution would cancel the "dictatorial authority" of the president.
Mr Yatsenyuk, who last week turned down an offer from Mr Yanukovych to become prime minister, said his bloc was ready to vote on a constitutional bill as early as Tuesday.
However, correspondents say party allegiances have been fluid and it is unclear if the opposition can rally a majority in parliament over the issue.However, correspondents say party allegiances have been fluid and it is unclear if the opposition can rally a majority in parliament over the issue.
Opposition leaders are also seeking other concessions including a broader amnesty for those arrested in anti-government protests.
Unrest began last November when President Yanukovych abandoned a political and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.Unrest began last November when President Yanukovych abandoned a political and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Thousands of people remain on the streets demanding he stand down and some government buildings have been occupied by protesters.Thousands of people remain on the streets demanding he stand down and some government buildings have been occupied by protesters.
Mr Yanukovych returned from four days of sick leave on Monday, saying Ukraine was facing "extremism" and "a struggle for power". Under pressure from the opposition, Mr Yanukovych scrapped anti-protest laws and accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and the cabinet last week.
"The vandalism that we are seeing during the seizures of government buildings, the calls that we are hearing, they remind us of course of old history lessons. We do not want them to be repeated," he said.
Under pressure from the opposition, Mr Yanukovych has scrapped anti-protest laws and accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Azarov and the cabinet last week.
But his opponents want him to resign before the end of his mandate in 2015 and to call early elections.But his opponents want him to resign before the end of his mandate in 2015 and to call early elections.
Russia on Monday urged the opposition to end its campaign of "ultimatums and threats" and step up negotiations. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will return to Kiev on Tuesday and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is due to visit later this week.
Moscow, which has conditionally offered a $15bn (£9bn) aid package to Ukraine, has criticised the EU and other Western countries for intervening in the dispute.
Despite that, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will return to Kiev on Tuesday and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is due to visit later this week.
Their visits come after Mr Yatsenyuk asked for a "Marshall Plan" for Ukraine - a reference to the US aid package for Europe after World War Two.Their visits come after Mr Yatsenyuk asked for a "Marshall Plan" for Ukraine - a reference to the US aid package for Europe after World War Two.
Baroness Ashton's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said the EU and its foreign partners were talking about "what we can do to help support the Ukrainian economy", but said any aid would be linked to political reforms or the naming of a new government.
The US state department said Washington and Brussels were in preliminary discussions on financial help for Ukraine if a new, technocrat government is formed.The US state department said Washington and Brussels were in preliminary discussions on financial help for Ukraine if a new, technocrat government is formed.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We are consulting with the EU... and other partners about the support Ukraine may need after a new technical government is formed as the country gets back on the path to economic health through the IMF (International Monetary Fund)." Moscow, which has conditionally offered a $15bn (£9bn) aid package to Ukraine, has criticised the EU and other Western countries for intervening in the dispute.
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