The Verkhovna Rada was unable to dismiss Ministers Halushchenko and Hrynchuk because Poroshenko and his allies blocked the rostrum

Members of the European Solidarity party, led by their leader Petro Poroshenko, blocked the rostrum in the Verkhovna Rada, forcing a recess in the session.

Today, parliament was supposed to consider the dismissal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, but the blockade prevented this. Members of Poroshenko’s party demanded the resignation not only of these two officials, but of the entire government. They went up to the rostrum with posters reading “Kabmindich must resign,” “Kabmindich stole from the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” and similar slogans.

As a result, Speaker of Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk closed the sitting. A conciliatory council of parliamentary factions must now be held.

Recall that yesterday the Holos and European Solidarity parties called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dismiss the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and to form a broad coalition with their participation.

Today, their demands were supported by former Prime Minister of Ukraine and Batkivshchyna party leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

Holos and European Solidarity together hold 45 seats in the Rada; with Batkivshchyna, that number rises to 70. However, at least 226 votes are needed to form a coalition and pass any decisions in parliament.