IX Convocation Verkhovna Rada Passes Fifth Anniversary: Results of Longest Parliamentary Tenure

Since the onset of the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada has convened 7 times to pass nationally significant decisions. Over this time, MPs have voted over 200 times and passed 103 legal acts. The total number of legislative initiatives registered in slightly over two months is 267. At the same time, the average attendance rates of MPs during the sessions was 88%.

Expectedly, the beginning of a new phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war could not but cause significant changes in Ukrainian legal framework. MPs have not overlooked the Criminal Code – over two months of the war, they adopted 10 laws on amendments to the Code.

At the same time, a draft law was registered in the Parliament. If adopted, it would allow MPs to hold meetings remotely. Read about the key points of the initiative, international experience, and its advantages and disadvantages in the new piece by the Civil Network OPORA.

Almost 50 people's deputies propose to decolonize the toponyms and streamline the use of geographical names in the settlements of Ukraine. The relevant bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on April 5.

8 years. That’s for how long Ukraine was in a state of hybrid war with the Russian Federation. First, our neighbors annexed Crimea in 2014, and then invaded Donbas and occupied part of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. However, the aggressor did not stop there and on February 24, 2022, without declaring war, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Compared to the previous convocation, the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation has renewed by 80%. It became slightly younger, and the representation of women has increased by 9%. Besides that, for the first time in the history of Ukraine, the legislative body has a so-called mono party majority of the Servant of the People (248 MPs). These and other factors had definitely influenced the first year of the new, already ninth, convocation of Ukrainian Parliament.

The working group, which elaborates the draft law on political parties, wants to simplify the process of registering political parties. However, activities of a party must demonstrate that it is functioning and can actively participate in elections.

In April, the Parliament adopted a number of important initiatives. In particular, MPs voted for the State Budget amendments, and approved the reduce in revenue and increase in expenditure. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, this decision was necessary to allocate additional funds to fight coronavirus. The Parliament has approved changes that allow the completion of decentralization process. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers was entitled to designate administrative centers of te...

The introduction of gender quotas into the Electoral Code was a huge achievement for the Parliament. That is why any attempts to delete them will be opposed by MPs, civil society, and the international community.