BFF-32 Ukrainian parliament rejects PM’s resignation

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UKRAINE-POLITICS

Ukrainian parliament rejects PM’s resignation

KIEV, May 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ukraine’s parliament Thursday rejected the
prime minister’s resignation, despite new president Volodymyr Zelensky urging
the government to quit their posts ahead of a snap election.

Volodymyr Groysman, considered close to ex-president Petro Poroshenko,
presented his resignation to newly inaugurated Zelensky last week, pending
parliamentary approval.

“I thank you,” the 41-year-old told parliament after they voted to keep him
in.

Groysman, who has been in office for three years, said before the vote he
was ready to accept any decision lawmakers made.

Zelensky does not command majority support in the current parliament and
has called an election for July 21.

His new party is leading in the polls but it is not yet clear whether it
will win a majority in the vote.

Groysman has said he will stand in the election.

Zelensky, a 41-year-old comedian, was sworn in as Ukraine’s sixth president
and used his inaugural speech to announce the dissolution of parliament, the
Verkhovna Rada.

He urged ministers to resign, despite Ukrainian law obliging the government
to do so only after parliamentary elections.

He has called for the sacking of the head of the state security service,
prosecutor-general and defence minister who are loyal to his predecessor.

BSS/AFP/ARS/1905 hrs