Turchynov closes parliament meeting, next one set for April 8

The Verkhovna Rada plenary meeting was closed on Tuesday as it lacked the required number of votes to pass bills.

"Today, we are ending our work. It will continue on April 8 at 1000," Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksandr Turchynov said, while closing the meeting.

Lawmakers on Tuesday failed to adopt a law introducing amendments to the law of Ukraine on the election of deputies of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, local councils and village, town and city mayors.

Turchynov said that if this law were not passed, the elections for local councils scheduled by parliament for May 25 would be disrupted.

Turchynov noted that on April 8 the Verkhovna Rada would begin its work by considering this bill.

He also did not rule out that if need be, MPs would convene for an emergency meeting.