Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was blocked Tuesday from delivering his annual state of the nation speech to parliament by lawmakers loyal to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Deputies of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB), who urged the legislature to discuss measures vital to curbing inflation in the country, occupied the presidium desk and rostrum inside the parliament building to prevent Yushchenko from delivering his speech.
Tymoshenko accused Yushchenko of blocking measures vital to curbing inflation in the country and regional governors acting on the president's instructions of "sabotaging" the cabinet's work.
"Members of the Yulia Tymoshenko bloc would block the rostrum until a package of anti-inflation draft laws are submitted to the parliament," Tymoshenko told reporters Tuesday morning.
Being unable to reach the rostrum, Yushchenko held a news conference instead, at which he described the move to impede his annual address as "unprecedented" and accused the YTB of violating coalition agreements.
Tensions between the two "Orange Revolution" allies are rising ahead of next year's presidential election as they are seen as potential rivals.
Tymoshenko was appointed prime minister in February 2005, but was dismissed from the position by Yushchenko seven months later due to fierce disputes between two leaders.
Tymoshenko became prime minister again in mid-December 2007 after lawmakers loyal to Tymoshenko and Yushchenko forged a new razor-thin ruling coalition in the new parliament.
Source:Xinhua
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