Sitting of the Conciliation Commission of parliamentary factions (groups)
- D.Razumkov
The Speaker stressed that the Parliament now sees the last plenary week of the third session of the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation and expressed hope that "it will be rather effective despite its utter tensity".
Due to the parliament’s work having been somehow blocked in the course of considering the draft law on gambling, a host of other bills have been shelved. In this regard, the Verkhovna Rada is going to work overtime and is scheduled to have extraordinary meetings today at 2 pm and tomorrow at 3 pm.
Dmytro Razumkov reminded that this week would see a significant event for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and for Ukraine’s history - the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. The Parliament is presently in its preparations to a solemn sitting of the Verkhovna Rada, which is to take place on Thursday, July 16, 2020.
- R.Stefanchuk
The Chairman gave the floor to the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The politician reminded that the draft legislation plan had been adopted recently and called on leaders of parliamentary factions and political groups to take into account the requirements and priorities set forth by this document.
Ruslan Stefanchuk also apprised that the bill on opposition is underway at the moment.
The First Vice Speaker pointed out that the Verkhovna Rada is in the process of switching to the regime of extraordinary sittings, noting that this approach is wrongful and called for its termination. He also expressed hope that the said plan would be implemented this week.
- O.Kondratiuk
In her speech, the Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk stressed that the local elections would take place very soon, on October 25, 2020. She expressed confidence that a draft resolution on regular local elections and a draft law on financial support for the elections would be passed today.
The Vice Speaker also reminded and then expressed her deep concern that even although European democracy standards do not recommend changing election rules a year before the election, such changes, in fact, are contained in the bill No.3485 "On amendments to some laws of Ukraine as to improving electoral legislation" prepared by the “mono-majority”. In the context of decentralization, both the issue of electing local authorities and the bill No.3485 ought to be agreed by all factions so that it can go through the parliament and be put to the vote in the chamber in proper time. This is expected by the Central Election Commission.
The Deputy Chairwoman also expressed particular concern about the bill No.3485 in terms of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for men and women to participate in local elections.
- Any other business
Representatives of parliamentary factions and groups spoke at the meeting.
A representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine proposed to include in the agenda and support a draft resolution No.3650 "On the formation and liquidation of districts", so that the autumn local elections be based on a new administrative division, and a related draft bill No.3614 as well.
There was then decided by MPs to hear the defence minister during the questions hour on Friday, July 17, regarding the present state of the security realm and the autumn drawing to the colour.
Leaders of parliamentary factions and groups then spoke at the meeting.
The presiding officer closed the sitting of the Conciliation Commission.