Ukraine’s eighth parliament has started work. A total of 419 new lawmakers were sworn in, including former pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who remains imprisoned in Russia. Oleksandr Turchynov, the speaker of the previous Verkhovna Rada conducted the first session.
27 seats remain vacant in the 450-seat session hall. The annexation of Crimea and Russia’s war against eastern Ukraine prevented deputies from being elected in those parts of the country that are no longer controlled by the authorities.

The Rada approved Arseny Yatseniuk for a new term as prime minister. Five parties have declared their intention to enter a coalition, which will then be responsible for appointing the prime minister, followed by the government.

President Petro Poronshenko, declared that there could be no future formula for Ukraine other than that of a single, unified state. 100 percent of Ukrainians favoured a unitary state without federalisation. “These are our warm wishes to those in the East or West who advise federalisation,” added Ukrainian chief of State, who advice people “to sleep with a revolver under the pillow.”