Parliament passes changes to Constitution despite short rioting

Макроэкономика 01.09.2015 Following yesterday's amendments to Ukraine's Constitution that adopted Western versions as elements of the Minsk 2 agreement to which many MPs were opposed, several members of the opposition, from the Svoboda party in particular, led hundreds of protestors outside the parliament. Although the amendments were backed by core parties of the coaliton and by opposition, the minor coalition partners who refused to back the law fomented the protest. A crowd outside of parliament became violent toward riot police, resulting in the death of one law enforcement officer and the wounding of many others after a grenade was detonated into the crowd. Police made several arrests, including that of the man, reportedly a Svoboda party member, who allegedly threw the grenade. We anticipate a sweeping investigation to contain the fallout from yesterday's events. Most likely, the Svoboda party will suffer as public sentiment should turn negative after it failed to form a faction in the parliament following the past year's elections. Although this event has apparently faded, we expect further attempts to destabilize Ukraine tbis fall, possibly instigated by the Kremlin, which authorities should be able to contain.