The Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine do not prohibit consideration in the second reading of the draft Law ‘On Prevention of Threats to National Security Related to Excessive Influence of Persons Who Have Significant Economic or Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs)’ before receiving the opinion of the Venice Commission. This was stated by Chairperson of the Parliament of Ukraine.
Dmytro Razumkov added that during the term of the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation there were two cases when the Parliament considered bills without waiting for the opinion of the Venice Commission.
In total, according to the Speaker of the Parliament, in two years the Verkhovna Rada has sent six inquiries to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) with a request to provide opinions on draft laws. The Venice Commission is an authoritative body that has for many years provided opinions on the compliance of bills with European standards and values.
Dmytro Razumkov noted that he had been approached by four opposition factions of the Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights to send the draft law on de-oligarchization to the Venice Commission. At the same time, he added that the position of the mono-majority faction was ambiguous on this issue.