18 Dec 2012 13:23

Azarov stripped of parliamentary mandate due to appointment as Ukrainian PM

KYIV. Dec 18 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada stripped Mykola Azarov of his parliamentary mandate on Tuesday as he was appointed prime minister.

The proposal that Azarov's parliamentary membership be terminated was supported by 268 out of the 411 parliamentarians who signed in for the session.

In particular, the resolution was backed by 184 deputies of the Party of Regions faction, one from Batkivshchyna, 37 from UDAR, 29 from the Communist Party, and 17 deputies not affiliated with any faction. Members of the Svoboda faction did not vote for the resolution.

Azarov earlier tendered his resignation as a member of parliament due to his appointment as prime minister.