Ukrainian PM offers resignation as parliament repeals anti-rioting laws

The Ukrainian prime minister, Mykola Azarov, has resigned as violent clashes between protesters and the police continue. 

He submitted his resignation on Tuesday as the Ukrainian parliament revoked the anti-protest laws. 

The Ukraine’s Constitution states that the resignation of a prime minister results in the resignation of the entire government. 

“The conflict situation which has come about in the country is threatening the economic and social development of Ukraine, creating a threat to the whole of Ukrainian society and to each citizen,” said Azarov. 

However, the main issues in the Ukraine’s political crisis remain unresolved as the opposition demands the resignation of president Viktor Yanukovych. He has been under pressure ever since he passed laws which resulted in the violence currently taking place in the country. 

The protests came after Yanukovych rejected a deal to improve Ukraine’s relationship with the European Union. 

He had offered the opposition’s main leader, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a position in the government but it was turned down. 

The main square in Kiev has been occupied for two months. For ten days, clashes between police and the protesters resulted in the death of three people, along with numerous arrests and abductions. 

In addition, it has been said that amnesty will not be offered to the arrested protesters unless demonstrators will stop occupying Kiev’s central Independence Square. 

Justyna Majewska