Regions Party blocked the rostrum, Constitutional Court remains inactive
Ukrinform, Tuesday, Kyiv, Ukraine, April 4, 2006
[Via the Action Ukraine Report]

KYIV - On Tuesday the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine refused to swear in the Constitutional Court judges who were appointed by the President and the Congress of judges.

The Regions Party faction was the basic opponent, with its members blocking the rostrum, the Government's seats and the President's chair as under Ukraine's active legislation the President is supposed to attend the swearing in ceremony. As a result, the Constitutional Court  remains inactive as the bulk of the judges had resigned.

In November 2005 three judges were elected by the Congress of judges, three more were appointed by the President. Since then the President has repeatedly approached the lawmakers to petition them for swearing in the judges. The Verkhovna Rada thrice torpedoed the procedure.

About 5 p m Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn adjourned the sitting. The Parliament's last session will be held on April 26, the day Ukraine is to mark the 20th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear accident. In between the sessions the lawmakers will work in their constituencies and in parliamentary committees.