Ukraine: Anti-Government Protests Rock Kiev

Thousands of protesters rallied outside Ukraine's parliament to press for early mayoral elections in Kiev - in the biggest such action against the president this year.

Protesters hold a rally outside parliament

The crowd, led by the country's main opposition parties, also held banners calling for the release of jailed opposition leader and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

The direct target was Olexander Popov, who was appointed by President Viktor Yanukovich as head of Kiev city's administration and now effectively mayor of the capital.

Riot police stand guard in Kiev

The ruling Party of the Regions is pushing for the Kiev mayoral election to be delayed for two years until after the 2015 presidential election, in which Mr Yanukovich is expected to run for a second term.

The last mayor, who left office in mid-2012, was effectively replaced by Mr Popov and opposition leaders are pushing for a vote in early June.

Interior Ministry members stand guard during the protest

Banners read "Popov as mayor means Kiev dies" and "Do not let Yanukovich steal elections from the people of Kiev" in a show of strength by the opposition which performed well in a parliamentary election in October.

The demonstration came as Ukraine's leaders hesitate between forging closer ties with the European Union or aligning themselves more closely with former Soviet master Russia.

Crowds demanded early mayoral elections

The European Union warned Mr Yanukovich in February that a free trade deal could be jeopardised if Ukraine did not show progress towards political reform by May.

For the EU, the deal is conditional on improved human rights and ending the practice of "selective justice" - meaning the jailing of political opponents such as Ms Tymoshenko, Mr Yanukovich's arch rival who is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office.

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