Ukraine's parliament has approved a controversial bill that allows the use of the Russian language in official settings in the country's Russian-speaking regions, defying vehement opposition.
Lawmakers
loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych, who bases his support in the
Russian-speaking east of the country, rushed the bill through parliament
Tuesday afternoon.
Pro-Western opposition lawmakers say the bill
is merely a public relations ploy to reverse Yanukovych’s declining
popularity ahead of the October parliamentary election.
An earlier
vote on the bill in parliament sparked a brawl between supporters and
opponents that left one lawmaker hospitalized. Yanukovych can veto the
bill or sign it into law.
