FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Canadian House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota resigned on Tuesday following an incident last week in which he praised a 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran of the Second World War Nazi unit.
Anthony Rota apologized for what happened in front of the country's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, but refused to resign.
However, Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie called for his resignation.
On Tuesday, the BBC reports, Rota, after a meeting with party officials, said he must resign, also expressing regret for the incident.
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Ottawa last Friday, Speaker of the House Anthony Rota called on MPs to applaud 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran Yaroslav Hunka. But according to Jewish organizations, Hunka fought with the 14th Waffen SS Volunteer Division.
The incident caused crisis and embarrassment for Canada's Liberal government. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident "unacceptable and disturbing."
Faced with backlash, Rota apologized to Parliament on Monday but refused to resign.
"It was an embarrassment to the House of Representatives and to Canadians, and I think the speaker should listen to MPs and resign," Jolie told reporters before the cabinet meeting.
"It's good that Speaker Rota apologized in person and I'm sure he's now thinking about how to ensure the dignity of the House in the future," Trudeau told reporters before a cabinet meeting today.
Senior officials from the four main political parties in Parliament are scheduled to meet later today to discuss the issue. In case Rota refuses to resign, the deputies have the opportunity to make a formal proposal for his dismissal.
Lini një Përgjigje