Ukraine Politicians Start Violent Fight In Parliament (VIDEO)

Four Ukrainian politicians had to be taken to the hospital after a violent fistfight erupted in a parliament chamber Thursday night, the Financial Times is reporting.

Though physical skirmishes are nothing new in Ukrainian politics, officials say the incident appeared more violent than usual and is indicative of escalating tensions between Ukrainian
President Viktor Yanukovich's party and opposition MPs who support his rival Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister and presidential candidate narrowly defeated by Yanukovich earlier this year.

Though it is unlikely any MPs will face charges, as they are protected by parliamentary immunity, the injuries caused were severe, the Wall Street Journal is reporting. One lawmaker in Tymoshenko's camp was said to have suffered a broken hand after rival MPs beat him with a chair, while another was bleeding profusely after being beaten. Others reportedly had concussions.

Watch video of the brawl via the Guardian below:

Comments

[Gajanan Taman]

04:44 AM on 12/19/2010

Ukaraine parliament decides issues not by discussion ,but by fisticuffs.

[Red Herring]

03:12 PM on 12/18/2010

I wouldlove to see Boehner and McConnell on the end of a flying chair or a few well thrown fists.

[noob1]

09:52 AM on 12/18/2010

Use your words kids, eh?

[SiameseTrainer]

02:03 AM on 12/18/2010

Ah he!! that's nothing, ever been to a Ukrainian wedding? It is not consummated until there is at least one brawl with multiple casualties. My Father-In Law's Christmas parties were more exciting.

[Dogma]

01:12 AM on 12/18/2010

More proof that politicians probably aren't the ones running the world.

[Schweik]

01:02 AM on 12/18/2010

I think Ukrainians need to open a few hockey-style penalty boxes.
2 minutes for cross checking, 5 minutes for smashing someone's head with a bottle of Stoli,
game misconduct for using a word " reform."

[SSCHIEFRSHA]

12:34 AM on 12/18/2010

Dear me. Gladiatorial politics.

[bioluminescence]

12:23 AM on 12/18/2010

"Gentlemen, gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!" (1967 movie Dr. Strangelove)

[siasina]

12:09 AM on 12/18/2010

The Korean or the Japanese Parliament brawl was better.

[viko]

12:21 AM on 12/18/2010

Wait for the Emerald isle.
It will take a few wiki leeks for the penny to drop.

[sloyd]

10:46 PM on 12/17/2010

This isn't nothing, in Greece the people pulled the Finance Minister out to the street and beat him.

[deanable]

10:40 PM on 12/17/2010

This would be so great in this country. Instead of just electing the rich, we could elect the best fighters. I'm sure they would do the same kind of job and it would be incredibly entertaining.

[SpaceboySD]

09:39 PM on 12/17/2010

Who knows, maybe they're onto something.

[realitytrumpsbull]

09:29 PM on 12/17/2010

Everybody think they're Australia, now.  Maybe when there's undecided votes on given legislation, they SHOULD change clothes, go outside, and have a rugby match. Find a nice muddy field, have the medic standing by with the stretcher 'just in case',  and have a tie-breaker. Sell tickets, sell sponsorship! But, take it outside in any case.

[Jimmy Boy]

09:24 PM on 12/17/2010

I would say I can't wait until the opposition party starts a fight, but we don't have any opposition to the Republocrat party.

[CaroleK1970]

09:20 PM on 12/17/2010

Tea Bagger Alert in the Ukraine