Lytvyn: Communist Martyniuk could become parliament's first vice speaker

20:23

Communist Party MP Adam Martyniuk could become the first deputy chairman of the Ukrainian parliament, Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn has said.

"Adam Martyniuk: There was such agreement," he told reporters on Thursday, when asked who could fill the vacant post of first vice speaker in parliament due to Oleksandr Lavrynovych's appointment as justice minister.

"You understand that this issue was not put to the vote, because some [MPs] began to celebrate [the approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers], while others were in an emotional state and they would not go to get the ballots," Lytvyn said.

He said that the law on the Verkhovna Rada's regulations foresaw that the Verkhovna Rada chairman, first deputy head and deputy head should be elected in a secret vote.

The law on the parliament's regulations also says that for such a vote to be declared valid, at least 300 MPs should take the voting ballots. The decision is considered to be taken if at least 226 MPs vote for it.

"Therefore, this issue was not considered. I have a feeling that the vote won't be held at all," Lytvyn said.