Measure on Presidency Passes First Hurdle
From Times Wire Reports
Ukraine’s parliament gave initial approval to a constitutional amendment allowing the president to be elected by the legislature rather than popular vote.
The move came despite hours of raucous protests by President Leonid Kuchma’s opponents, who claim that the amendment is meant to keep the president in office beyond term limits.
The amendment, approved by 276 of the 450 lawmakers, must still pass a second vote, which requires a two-thirds majority, before it can take effect.
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