25 Feb 2014 14:05

Verkhovna Rada authorizes Turchynov to sign laws

KYIV. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has authorized its Speaker and acting President Oleksandr Turchynov to sign into law bills adopted over the period from February 21 and until a new president is elected in the country.

This decision was supported by 316 MPs.

On February 22, the Verkhovna Rada voted to remove Viktor Yanukovych as president of Ukraine.

Under the country's new constitution, which came into force on February 23, the parliament speaker fulfills the head of state's duties in the absence of the president.

Early presidential elections in Ukraine were set for May 25, 2014.