Ukraine's Parliament Overrides Veto Of Cabinet Law

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada in session (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) January 12, 2007 -- Ukraine's parliament has approved legislation defining the powers of the cabinet, overriding a presidential veto.

In a vote today, 366 of the 370 lawmakers present supported the bill, which President Viktor Yushchenko believes will restrict his own powers.

The Verkhovna Rada first passed the bill in December, and today rejected all amendments proposed by Yushchenko.

Members of the party of former Yushchenko ally Yuliya Tymoshenko backed the bill, while lawmakers from Yushchenko's Our Ukraine party tried to block the podium during the vote and then left the session in protest.

In a statement later, Our Ukraine said the legislation was aimed at allowing the prime minister and government to "usurp power."

(UNIAN, Interfax-Ukraine)