Yanukovych to submit nomination for PM to parliament this week – Speaker

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is expected to submit a nomination for prime minister to parliament this week, said Speaker Volodymyr Rybak.

"I think a nomination will be proposed this week," Rybak said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

In accordance with the constitution, the parliament, Verkhovna Rada, is to debate a proposed nomination by the president within five days following submission.

Earlier reports said that Mykola Azarov's letter of resignation was accepted on January 28.

The prime minister's resignation is normally followed by the resignation of the whole of the Cabinet, which, however, will continue performing its duties pending the formation of a new cabinet but for no longer than 60 days.

"This issue will be resolved in days," the speaker said.

Asked what the presidential nominee's political bias will be like and whether the candidate will be chosen from the Party of Regions' ranks, Rybak said. "I cannot answer this question for now. Among the nominees proposed there were representatives of the opposition, of the Party of Regions and other parties," he said.