The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has failed to dismiss Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Serhiy Arbuzov, who was appointed in late December 2012 as the first deputy prime minister.

A total of 217 MPs, including 179 members of the Party of Regions, 30 members of the Communist Party and eight independent lawmakers, voted for his dismissal at a plenary meeting on Thursday.

The rest of the factions did not participate in the vote.

As reported, in December 2012, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych appointed NBU Governor Arbuzov to the post of first deputy prime minister and Head of the NBU Council Ihor Prasolov as the minister of economic development and trade.

The NBU governor is appointed and dismissed by parliament on the proposal of the Ukrainian president. The NBU head is appointed for a seven-year term.

On January 9, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych nominated Sorkin for the post of the NBU governor.