Ukraine’s parliament descended into chaos for a second day in a row on Thursday. Opposition parties were attempting to prevent the election of Volodymyr Rybak, from the ruling Party of Regions, as speaker. From the Associated Press:
Opposition lawmakers swarmed the parliament’s presidium and a fight erupted with pro-government legislators. Lawmakers wrestled with each other and some deputies were knocked over in the melee.
After the melee was broken up, Rybak, a close ally of President Viktor Yanukovych, was elected to a five-year term as head of parliament.
Professional boxer Vitali Klitschko, who leads UDAR, one of the opposition parties, declined to join the brawl.