KIEV, Sept. 8 – The Lviv region council on Wednesday approved a no-confidence motion against Lviv region governor Vasyl Horbal, an appointee of President Viktor Yanukovych, setting stage for a clash with local elite.

The motion is a direct attack on Yanukovych’s policies in the region, known for its strong support for parties that are in opposition to his government.

This comes as Yanukovych has been seeking to increase his control over another region that strongly favors the opposition groups - the city of Kiev - through the approval of controversial legislation in Parliament on Tuesday.

Yanukovych on Wednesday signed the legislation into law that allows him to appoint the head of the Kiev city government, de-facto reducing the authority of the elected mayor of Kiev.