Opposition factions block Ukrainian Supreme Rada's work

The opposition factions of the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday blocked the work of Ukraine's Supreme Rada, which was followed by Speaker Vladimir Litvin opening the morning plenary session.

The opposition considers illegitimate yesterday's decision to favour the dismissal of chairman of the Ukrainian National Bank board Vladimir Stelmakh.

The opposition factions - the Communist Party of Ukraine, the Socialist Party, Our Ukraine and Yulia Timoshenko's bloc - oppose the decision taken yesterday to appoint people's deputy Sergei Tigipko chairman of the Ukrainian National Bank board.

The opposition leaders claim that the reshuffles in the National Bank leadership pursued the goal of conducting emission of the national currency, the hryvnia. The authorities reportedly want to increase the money base by $700 million.