Yanukovych to hand in nomination for PM this week

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is expected to submit a nomination for prime minister to the parliament this week, Speaker Volodymyr Rybak said. "I think a nomination will be proposed this week," Rybak said at a press briefing in Kiev on Monday, Voice of Russia reported. In accordance with the constitution, the Verkhovna Rada is to debate a proposed nomination by the President within five days following submission. Earlier reports said that Mykola Azarov's letter of resignation was accepted on January 28. The prime minister's resignation is normally followed by the resignation of the whole of the Cabinet, which, however, will continue performing its duties pending the formation of a new cabinet but for no longer than 60 days. "This issue will be resolved in days," the speaker said. Asked what the presidential nominee's political bias will be like and whether the candidate will be chosen from the Party of Regions' ranks, Rybak responded, "I cannot answer this question for now. Among the nominees proposed there were representatives of the opposition, of the Party of Regions and other parties," he added.