KIEV, December 03, 1:56 /ITAR-TASS/. A tough standoff is expected at the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's national parliament, which is due to begin at 10:00 EEST Tuesday. Information released at a session of the Conciliatory Council , which embraces the leaders of all the parliamentary factions, leading oppositionists like Arseny Yatsenyuk of the Batkivshchina party, Vitaly Klichko of the UDAR party, and Oleg Tyagnybok of the far-right Svoboda party, said the opposition will demand a review of the situation in the country and a no-confidence vote in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov.
"The session should begin with debates on a resolution expressing no-confidence in Nikolai Azarov's cabinet and and on putting an end to political persecutions," Yatsenyuk said.
The Verkhovna Rada's committee for 'state construction' and local self-government has already supported a draft resolution on no-confidence in the cabinet.
Rada Speaker Vladimir Rybak said he will put up for discussion the issues the MPs will determine. He also said he does not see any need in introducing the state of emergency in the country in the wake of the latest violent events in Kiev.
On the face of it, Alexander Yefremov, the leader of the Regions Party's parliamentary faction, said the party does not see any need for voting for a dismissal of the cabinet.
The opposition will demand an account on the November 30 events on Kiev's Independence Square /the Maidan/ Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko, whom the oppositionists hold personally responsible for the dispersal of the pro-EU demonstration on the Maidan, but Alexander Yefremov warned that the Rada can vote for the dimissal of the entire cabinet only, not for the resignation of a separate minister.
Also, it is not ruled out that some members of the Regions Party faction will announce at the session they are quitting the party. Speaker Rybak said he has the indications that several MPs make choose to do so.
In spite of the highly complicated situation in the country, President Viktor Yanukovich is expected to start a visit to China. Prime Minister Azarov confirmed in an interview with a TV channel Monday the sides plan to sign about twenty documents in the course of the visit and the package includes a treaty on strategic partnership.
The oppositionists have levelled sharp criticism at Yanukovich's decision to effectuate the visit, making a reminder of the amassed meetings and demonstrations continuing in Kiev and other parts of the country.