KIEV, March 20 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's Supreme Rada rejected Tuesday the candidacy of Volodymyr Ohryzko for the post of the country's foreign minister.
Only 195 members voted for the acting foreign minister's candidacy which was 31 short of the 226 votes required to confirm his appointment.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko first introduced Ohryzko's nomination to parliament on February 5, following the resignation of former foreign minister Boris Tarasyuk, a key presidential ally who actively promoted pro-Western policies during his time in office. Then 196 MPs voted for Ohryzko.
Yushchenko reintroduced the candidacy to the Supreme Rada on February 28.
Vasyl Kyselyov, a deputy head of the Party of Regions faction, said Monday that his faction would propose Yushchenko nominate another candidate for the post of the foreign minister.
