Deputies in suits and shirtsleeves climbed on tables, shouted and grappled with opponents as a protest against the practice of lawmakers voting for absentee colleagues descended into violence.

The parliament's opening session on Wednesday also saw fighting erupt between opposition lawmakers and deputies whom they accused of defecting to the pro-government camp.

The fighting postponed a vote on reinstating as prime minister President Viktor Yanukovych's ally, Mykola Azarov, which was due to take place Thursday.