Ukraine lawmakers brawl in parliament for second day running

Sergey Dolzhenko / EPA

Opposition and pro-presidential lawmakers scuffle on the podium during a session of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on December 13, 2012.

Sergei Supinsky / AFP - Getty Images

Deputies of the opposition fight with deputies of the majority for a second time in two days on December 13, 2012.

Seconds out, Round 2! Fights broke out in the Ukrainian parliament for a second time in two days on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reports.

The opening session of the Verkhkovna Rada on Wednesday began in a typically raucous fashion (as seen on PhotoBlog yesterday) as a fight erupted in the chamber between opposition MPs and two deputies whom they accused of defecting to the pro-government camp. Several lawmakers from the opposition nationalist Svoboda group chased two men they called "turncoats" — a father and a son — to prevent them from taking the oath.  

Ukraine's parliament has seen several physical confrontations in recent years amid bitterness between opposition and pro-government camps. 

Sergei Chuzavkov / AP

Ukrainian lawmakers fight around the rostrum on Dec. 13, 2012.

Sergei Supinsky / AFP - Getty Images

Deputies of the opposition fight with deputies of majority party during the opening of the newly elected parliament on December 12, 2012.

Sergei Supinsky / AFP - Getty Images

Deputies fight for a second time in two days, during the second session of the newly elected parliament on December 13, 2012.

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Scuffles between lawmakers from Ukraine's ruling party and the opposition broke out in the country's parliament once again on Thursday morning over the election of parliamentary officials. NBCNews.com's Alex Witt reports.

Discuss this post

There's some terrible fighting-form if I've ever seen it and yes you can even tell that from still-shots because there's no momentum going into these movements they're all pulling, grabbing, etc. from a flat-footed stance - leave MMA to the professionals and do your polar-bear legislations like adults. Also in the third picture why does the guy have to squeeze the guy's backside and why is that gentleman's shirt so small that it can go that far up him when he's just leaning over? There's a lot of unanswered questions that need to be examined hear and the people deserve to know.

  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:34 AM EST

In the third picture it looks like that fellow has threee fat fingers buried in that guys ass

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:15 AM EST

The fat guy is proud of his "trouser cleavage".

:D

    #1.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:08 PM EST

    The pictures are surreal. Almost like modern dance.

      #1.3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:48 PM EST

      funniest opening comments EVER!

        #1.4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:22 PM EST

        Where's Jerry Springer when you need him???

          #1.5 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:51 PM EST

          Can someone identify where was the "brawl" in any of these pictures? Until I see some punches being thrown this looks more like a tantrum.

            #1.6 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:52 PM EST

            Until I see some punches being thrown this looks more like a tantrum.

            mmm...i dunno...check out pix #4 with the red faced guy on the right holding a tie...hard to tell from the pix angle but appears like he's found his target and check out the expressions of the two guys just above him. they do look a tad concerned.

              #1.7 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:47 PM EST
              Reply

              Wish our politicians would kick eachothers asses.

              • 7 votes
              Reply#2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:38 AM EST

              they do, they just don't do it in the most public-setting possible like these goons

                #2.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:44 AM EST

                Our leaders prefer to do nothing. I'm not at all sure this is worse.

                • 2 votes
                #2.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:24 PM EST

                BinNH, pompous do-nothing (like Yuschenko) was much better than active grab-everything (like Yanukovich).

                  #2.3 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:22 AM EST
                  Reply

                  it takes passion for something you stand for to fight like that. Our lawmakers are not passionate about anything except lining their pockets with money, thats why they would never fight. They do not care enough about anything except their own wealth and the building of it. Nuff Said, Semper Fi!!

                  • 12 votes
                  Reply#3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:50 AM EST

                  A real life Parliamentary Battle Royal !! .....Should be on pay per view....

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:57 AM EST

                  I'd love to see Nancy Pelosi go "three falls or a submission" with Eric Cantor.

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#5 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:03 AM EST

                  Think what it would do for CSPAN's ratings!

                  • 2 votes
                  #5.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:15 AM EST

                  Yep. She could show off her "cleavage" on both ends. LOL

                  • 1 vote
                  #5.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:09 PM EST

                  I would like to see Lindsey Greaham (sp) do his sissy fight.

                    #5.3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:35 PM EST
                    Reply

                    I went to watch a Ukrainian parliament session the other day...and a hockey game broke out.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#6 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:30 AM EST

                    Notice, too, that none of these guys seem to have missed any meals. I really don't think our members of Congress could survive such an altercation, however. Congress seems to be a bunch of wusses when it comes to being passionate about their beliefs. It doesn't take much energy to pass legislation that spends more taxpayer money, especially when a lot of it comes back to line the pockets of our supposed representatives.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#7 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:37 AM EST

                    What a life ! Got to love the Russians

                      Reply#8 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:00 PM EST

                      They know better!!!!!!! they dont respect their country. They must act the adults without fight together. cant imagine that they mess up in Ukrainian parliament!

                        Reply#9 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:00 PM EST

                        In the last picture, is the unrumpled guy standing on what appears to be desk the referee?

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#10 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:27 PM EST

                        humanity is in big big trouble....

                          Reply#11 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:24 PM EST

                          better they will are fighting @beating inside parlament until the issue than they will provoke fighting@riots outside on the streets of cities..

                            Reply#12 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:04 PM EST

                            My money is on the fat white guy. Which one? Always watch the guy that is smiling though, cool, collective, he's the dangerous one.

                              Reply#13 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:09 PM EST

                              The dumasses are all probably ****faced. They love their Wodka over there!

                                Reply#14 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:21 PM EST

                                I think I saw an eye gouge in the bottom picture - is that part of parliamentary procedure?

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#15 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:59 AM EST

                                They need JESUS

                                  Reply#16 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:02 AM EST

                                  bunch of Pigs(3 Different Ones)!

                                    Reply#17 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:45 AM EST
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