KYIV, Oct 5 – President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party on Tuesday has taken the first step in its attempt to oust Parliamentary Speaker Dmytro Razumkov, underscoring an escalating feud between the two most powerful figures.

Razumkov was suspended from holding sessions for two days after Zelensky’s party was joined by two groups effectively controlled by Ukrainian oligarchs, and by several individual lawmakers.

The feud started weeks ago after Razumkov had criticized Zelensky’s anti-oligarch bill, which is set to impose political restrictions on wealthy businessmen. Critics said the bill would mostly target Petro Poroshenko, a former president, who now leads the second largest group in Parliament.

Ironically, Zelensky’s ‘anti-oligarch bill’ was approved due to support from two groups with known connections to oligarchs that are thought to be loyal to Zelensky. The bill is awaiting a signature from the president before coming into effect.

The vote to suspend Razumkov for two days was launched when Zelensky’s party had complained that the Speaker had delayed a procedural vote aimed at speeding up his dismissal.

“This is a gross violation of the rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada,” Oleksandr Korniyenko, the first deputy head of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, said.

Korniyenko is believed to be a favorite to replace Razumkov.

Razumkov defended his decision. "If there is a desire to replace the Verkhovna Rada speaker, I would not delay this process,” he said.

The Holos party, a centrist group, called the plan to remove Razumkov a violation of the rules of the Verkhovna Rada and an attempt to take parliament under the control of the President's Office.

"This happened with a gross violation of the law," Kira Rudyk, the leader of Holos, said, adding that the party opposes his removal.

"If the chairman is replaced, the opposition will have half or even three times less opportunities to defend its position not only from the rostrum, but also directly with journalists,” Rudyk said.

“Since the so-called law on oligarchs is to be signed soon, which is unconstitutional, this is another reason why they want to replace the chairman so quickly," Rudyk said. (tl/ez)