Ukrainian opposition is strong and self-sufficient

BYuT’s focus is to unite the democratic forces and oppose the illegal government.

"We as the opposition are not interested in posts. We are strong and self-sufficient even without posts. We’re interested primarily in the democratic forces being united and working together," deputy Oleh Liashko (BYuT) said today in the Verkhovna Rada.

He believes that only a united opposition can stand up to the illegal actions by the president and government. "If we’re divided, those in power benefit. And the more fragmented we are, the better for the government."

When asked about the post of first deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, which is traditionally held by a member of the opposition, Oleh Liashko said: "When we were in power, our political force voted for opposition member Oleksandr Lavrynovych to be first vice speaker. We hope that the current government will do the same. There is precedent and tradition that the first vice speaker’s post goes to the opposition. But I know that there are deals to give communist Martyniuk this job. I think there will be controversies surrounding this position."

Meanwhile, deputy Serhiy Mishchenko has said that in the near future BYuT will demand the redistribution of parliamentary committees in favor of the opposition.

"We gave the Party of Regions the first vice speaker’s post, and therefore, this position should be given to the opposition. We are also asking that they give us the committees specified in the parliamentary regulations: judicial, budget, rules and social policy," he said.