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Ukraine's PM tenders resignation as anti-protest laws repealed | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov offered his resignation on Tuesday, saying he hoped the move would help bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis that has gripped the country for two months. | Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov offered his resignation on Tuesday, saying he hoped the move would help bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis that has gripped the country for two months. |
"The conflict situation which has come about in the country is threatening the economic and social development of Ukraine, creating a threat to the whole of Ukrainian society and to each citizen," said Azarov, adding that he had personally asked President Viktor Yanukovich to accept his resignation. | "The conflict situation which has come about in the country is threatening the economic and social development of Ukraine, creating a threat to the whole of Ukrainian society and to each citizen," said Azarov, adding that he had personally asked President Viktor Yanukovich to accept his resignation. |
Under the constitution, the departure of the prime minister means the resignation of the entire government. | Under the constitution, the departure of the prime minister means the resignation of the entire government. |
Shortly after the release of Azarov's statement Ukraine's parliament voted to repeal the harsh anti-protest laws that were imposed this month. | |
Yanukovych has been under increasing pressure since he pushed the tough laws through parliament, setting off clashes and protests in other parts of the country in a sharp escalation of tensions after weeks of mostly peaceful protests over his rejection of a deal to deepen ties with the 28-nation European Union. | |
Azarov's resignation has yet to be accepted by the president, but that appears to be only a formality. Yanukovych last week offered the premiership to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the opposition's top figures. Yatsenyuk turned down the offer on Monday. | Azarov's resignation has yet to be accepted by the president, but that appears to be only a formality. Yanukovych last week offered the premiership to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the opposition's top figures. Yatsenyuk turned down the offer on Monday. |
The prime minister's resignation would remove one of the figures the opposition most despises, and the repeal of the anti-protest laws should remove a severe aggravating factor in the crisis. But the moves stop well short of the opposition's demands, which include Yanukovych's resignation. | |
Another potential sticking point is that a proposed amnesty for arrested protesters will not be offered unless demonstrators stop occupying buildings and end their round-the-clock protests and tent camp in Kiev's central Independence Square. | Another potential sticking point is that a proposed amnesty for arrested protesters will not be offered unless demonstrators stop occupying buildings and end their round-the-clock protests and tent camp in Kiev's central Independence Square. |
Protest leaders say scores of people have gone missing, presumably arrested. | Protest leaders say scores of people have gone missing, presumably arrested. |
Three protesters died in the clashes last week, two of whom were shot by hunting rifles, which police insist they do not use. | Three protesters died in the clashes last week, two of whom were shot by hunting rifles, which police insist they do not use. |
Read more | Read more |
Yanukovych's future may depend on oligarchs as much as protesters | Yanukovych's future may depend on oligarchs as much as protesters |
Andrey Kurkov: my Kiev home is now a war zone. But I'm not quitting | Andrey Kurkov: my Kiev home is now a war zone. But I'm not quitting |