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Referendum on Crimea’s status may be held May 25

At its urgent meeting, the Verkhovna Rada of the Crimea discussed holding a referendum on May 25, the economic situation in the region and government reports

© EPA/ARTHUR SHWARTZ

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Crimean parliament’s decision to hold referendum is legitimate right

SIMFEROPOL, February 27. /ITAR-TASS/. A referendum on the status of Crimea and expansion of its powers may be held in late May, Crimean parliament Speaker Volodymyr Konstantinov said on Thursday, February 27.

The Crimean parliament has also dismissed the autonomy's Cabinet of Ministers.

“At its urgent meeting today the Verkhovna Rada of the Crimea plans to debate the following issues: holding a referendum on May 25, the economic situation in Crimea and government reports,” the speaker said.

Speaking of the situation in Crimea, Konstantinov said “the situation remains tense. A conflict was provoked yesterday. Radical elements did not allow us to hold an urgent session. Today I ordered an urgent meeting [of the parliament] to discuss the most pressing issues.”

He stressed that the parliament was the only legitimate body of power in Crimea.

The Crimean parliament presidium earlier made the decision to hold a referendum on the status of the autonomy and expansion of its powers.

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Ukraine crisis Referendum in Crimea

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