You're reading: Front for Change: Lytvyn promises not to sign language bill under any circumstances

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn has assured the opposition that he will never sign the bill on the principles of state language policy that was passed by the parliament on July 3, the press service of the Front for Change Party said on July 4.

“During a meeting with the leaders of the united opposition,
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn stated that he will not sign
the language bill passed by parliament yesterday, under any
circumstances,” the party’s press service said.

As reported, the leader of the Regions Party parliamentary faction,
Oleksandr Yefremov, said that only the chairman of the parliament could
sign the language bill.

When asked who would sign the document in case Lytvyn resigns, Yefremov said, “A new speaker of parliament.”

He added that there have not been cases in the Ukrainian parliament when deputy chairmen signed laws.

Yefremov also said that the parliamentary majority wanted to convince
Lytvyn to change his mind and not to rush into resignation.

It was reported that on Tuesday, July 3, Verkhovna Rada voted for the bill on
the foundations of the state language policy significantly broadening
the use of Russian language.

The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the president of Ukraine have to sign the bill for it to take effect.