France and its European partners called on Ukraine's different parties to preserve the country's unity and avoid violence after dismissing President Viktor Yanukovych and a new government is due to be in place, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Sunday. "During this exceptional situation which Ukraine is experiencing, France together with its European partners calls for the preservation of the country's unity and integrity and for people to refrain from violence," the French minister said. "We want a respect of the constitution, the formation of a new government and the preparation of elections as soon as possible," he added. On Sunday, Ukrainian lawmakers voted to hand over the duties of president to parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov, in accordance with the country's new constitution that entered into force earlier in the day. The parliament's move came one day after the lawmakers ousted Yanukovych from his post and set early elections for May 25.