KYIV, Oct 7 - Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday voted to dismiss Parliamentary Speaker Dmytro Razumkov, who has recently fallen out with President Volodymyr Zelensky over legislation that targets wealthy businessmen.

An opposition group led by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has joined forced with Zelensky’s party in order to oust Razumkov, triggering speculation that a new government coalition might in the making.

The motion was supported by 284 MPs, including some 215 votes from the Servant of the People, Zelensky’s party, along with 20 votes from Tymoshenko’s the Batkivschyna group, 6 votes by Holos, 19 votes from the For the Future and 18 votes from Dovira group, and 6 votes from independent 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.

Earlier this month, Zelenskyy accused Razumkov of pursuing a political agenda of his own. Razumkov suggested after his dismissal that he could run for president in the next election. Zelenskyy hasn’t yet said whether he would seek a second term in 2024.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, deputy speaker of Parliament and a member of Zelensky’s party, was nominated for the position of the speaker along with four other lawmakers representing other groups. However, Stefanchuk is the only candidate who has realistic chances of being approved.

Parliament is scheduled to hold the vote to approve the new speaker on Friday. (tl/ez)