MOSCOW, April 24 (RIA Novosti) – The leader of Ukraine’s Party of Regions urged the country’s acting authorities on Thursday to begin constitutional reform and develop a legislative package in order to stave off economic collapse.
While protesters in eastern Ukraine have been rallying in support of federalization since last month, the Party of Regions has been insisting on reforms to give the Russian language official status and ensure the decentralization of power.
“We suggest beginning the reform immediately to answer people’s requests. The government should develop a legislative package, which would help avoid the approaching economic and financial crash, and propose it to the parliament as soon as possible,” the party’s leader Oleksandr Yefremov said in an address to parliament.
The citizens of Ukraine’s eastern regions insist that decisions be made on their security and the status of the Russian language, he said, adding that such issues are beyond the power of the current authorities and the demands can only be formally declared.
The Party of Regions did not take part in a parliamentary vote in response to the lack of action from Kiev authorities.
Several people have been killed in violent clashes between pro-federalization activists and ultra-nationalists in the Ukrainian eastern regions in the past month.
Last week, top diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union agreed to call on the parties in Ukraine to refrain from violence, extremism and provocations, disarm militants and launch a national dialogue on constitutional reform.
