After consultations, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed a law that suggests electing the parliament speaker by open vote.

A total of 247 out of the 47 MPs registered in the session hall voted for the law on amendments to the parliament's regulations on Tuesday.

According to the law, a candidate is approved as parliamentary speaker through an open roll-call vote (by electronic voting cards) by the majority of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada (226 votes).

Previously, the speaker was elected and dismissed by secret ballot by at least 226 votes, provided that at least 300 lawmakers take part in the vote.

The law also approves the agenda of the first meeting of the new parliament. It proposes forming a temporary presidium, factions and groups, hearing a report by the previous speaker, forming committees and electing the parliament leadership (the speaker, his first deputy and deputy), and then hearing the Ukrainian president's address at the first meeting.

In addition, the law says that self-nominees, who received seats in parliament, can choose to join any faction.