KIEV, January 14 (RIA Novosti) – Opposition deputies in Ukraine prevented the start of the New Year's opening session of parliament by blocking the tribune and presidium, the UNIAN news agency reported Tuesday.
Several dozen opposition members surrounded the tribune and another dozen barred the way to the presidium in a move that might delay adoption of Ukraine's state budget for 2014 in a vote expected this week.
The Speaker, Volodymyr Rybak, adjourned the session until 4pm local time (14:00 GMT). A total of 269 Ukrainian lawmakers were registered for the session.
Hundreds of riot police and interior troops stood guard in front of the parliament building as protesters gathered for a rally in support of Ukraine's ruling Party of Regions and President Viktor Yanukovych.
Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the UDAR opposition party, demanded Monday that parliament set up a commission to investigate a brutal crackdown by riot police on pro-European Union protesters in the capital Kiev on November 30.
Mass street protests in central Kiev have been ongoing since Ukraine stunned the EU on November 21 by rejecting an association agreement to strengthen political and trade ties with the bloc. Yanukovych opted instead for stronger ties with Moscow.
Protests resumed last week after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
