Timoshenko’s Bloc disrupts Yushchenko’s address to the Ukrainian parliament

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Yulia Timoshenko’s Bloc faction at the Ukrainian Supreme Rada has blocked the session of the parliament today. The session was supposed to start with a speech of President Viktor Yushchenko, a REGNUM correspondent reports. Members of the parliament from Timoshenko’s Bloc (they are also members of the ruling coalition) have blocked the parliamentary rostrum.

Earlier, it was announced that Yulia Timoshenko’s Bloc can prevent President Viktor Yushchenko from delivering the address to the Supreme Rada on May 13, if at first the parliament did not discuss the question of the State Property Fund and several anti-inflation legislative initiatives. In his speech, Yushchenko intended to give his assessment of recent economic, political and world events and outline strategic guidelines for development of the country. In accordance with an agreement within the parliamentary coalition, the presidential address is the basis for the final draft of the government action plan to be adopted by the Supreme Rada. Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, members of the government, heads of regional administrations were invited to listen to the president's speech.