Ukraine opposition seeks to remove govt over gas

By Sabina Zawadzki

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's opposition parties repeated calls on Tuesday for the government's resignation and a start to impeachment proceedings against the president over a row with Russia that has left the country 13 days without gas supplies.

Russia turned off the gas taps to Ukraine on January 1 and later stopped all supplies to Europe via Ukraine, accusing Kiev of stealing the fuel. The row hit Ukraine just as authorities grapple with an economic recession and a weakened currency.

Ukrainians have started to grumble as some local authorities reduced heating and water supplies, but many have been apathetic or distrustful of all politicians for years.

"We demand ... the creation of a special commission to investigate the authorities' abuse of power in gas supply issues, the quick resignation of the current cabinet and the start of procedures for the impeachment of the president," Regions Party leader, Viktor Yanukovich, told parliament.

Yanukovich's party does not have enough in parliament to initiate the impeachment or vote of no confidence, and would need to win support from some pro-government lawmakers.

His calls have been backed by the small Communist faction, which has long demanded the impeachment of President Viktor Yushchenko, but votes held by the two groups together fall short of a majority.

Yanukovich proposed a debate on holding a vote of no confidence in the government for Thursday but no motion has been put on the agenda yet. The government of Yulia Tymoshenko has already survived such a vote when it was taken in July.

The procedure for impeaching the president is complex as the constitution had been tweaked several times. Some analysts believe it may be impossible for now in legal terms.