IMF says concerned by Ukrainian parliament's rejection of budget

Ukraine's Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko stands at the rostrum and delivers a speech during a session of parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, December 17, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it was concerned by signs Ukraine's parliament might reject a proposed tax code and budget for 2016, warning that this could further disrupt its $17.5 billion (£11.7 billion) bailout programme.

Disagreement in parliament over critical tax reforms and the draft budget has held up the disbursement of a third $1.7 billion tranche from the IMF at a time when divisions in the ruling coalition have raised concerns the government could fall.