Ukraine opposition calls on parliament to change constitution, weaken presidency | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Ukraine opposition calls on parliament to change constitution, weaken presidency

Members of the radical group Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) practice street fighting in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. Ukraine's president will return Monday from a short sick leave that had sparked a guessing game he was taking himself out of action in preparation to step down or for a crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

KYIV, Ukraine - Leaders of the anti-government protests that have gripped Ukraine's capital for more than two months say they will seek constitutional changes that will weaken the president's powers.

The changes are expected to be discussed in a Tuesday parliament session that comes as Ukraine's political crisis wades through a stalemate.

Protesters are refusing to leave their encampment in downtown Kyiv or vacate buildings they occupy, but radicals who clashed violently with police last month are holding to an uneasy truce.

Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Monday said constitutional change would "cancel the dictatorial powers of the president and transfer the right of governing the country to the Ukrainian people."

Justice minister Olena Lukash said last week that officials were preparing measures for constitutional change, but did not give details.

News from © The Associated Press, 2014
The Associated Press

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