Ukraine crisis: Opposition MPs seek to curb president's powers
Ukraine's opposition MPs have been calling for constitutional changes that would give parliament greater control over the formation of governments, the BBC reported.
They are pushing for laws that will reduce the power of the president.
There were emotional scenes as government and opposition MPs debated at the session starting parliament's new term.
Opposition leaders are ramping up pressure on President Viktor Yanukovych after weeks of anti-government unrest.
The leader of the opposition Udar (Punch) Party and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitaliy Klitschko, told parliament new elections were crucial to regain the trust of the people.
"I call on everyone to take the constitutional route and stop dictatorship. Let us reinstate the constitution that allows MPs to take decisions instead of just pushing buttons.”
But the leader of President Yanukovych's Regions Party in parliament, Oleksandr Yefremov, accused the opposition of being irresponsible.
In an emotional speech delivered amid shouting, he warned of consequences if the conflict continued.
"Ukraine is going through perhaps the most dramatic period in its recent history. Any further escalation of the conflict may lead to civil confrontation and result in catastrophic consequences," he said.
At one point during the proceedings, some opposition MPs shouted "murderers!"
They were referring to the death of protesters over recent weeks as anti-government activists clashed with riot police.
Protesters blame the government for the deaths, but officials reject these accusations.
On Monday, President Yanukovych's representative in parliament, Yuriy Miroshnychenko, told the AFP news agency that the president could call early elections if there were no other ways out of the crisis.