Oleksandr Korniyenko: The Constitution is the only law that has direct force in the state, and it is stronger than any other document

Informatiion Department
Published on 28 June 2022, at 16:51

On the occasion of Constitution Day, First Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko took part in the All-Ukrainian Open Quiz: "Constitutional Night in Parliament," organized by the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Oleksander Korniyenko congratulated all those present on this important holiday and explained to young people what its peculiarity is.

"The constitution is also a law; it is an important law. The only law that has direct force in the state. It is stronger than our international obligations, international treaties, stronger than laws and regulations. That is why we respect the Constitution," said the First Vice-Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, adding that Ukraine was one of the first countries in history to have a Constitution, the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk.

The modern Constitution was adopted 26 years ago due to the "constitutional night," Today, we live and respect the Constitution, which is inherent in our independent modern state, he said.

According to him, Ukraine has always sought to create its Constitution to live by its law, not the laws of the Soviet Union.

"As the next generations of the Parliament, we are grateful for the convocation that adopted the Constitution in the version that was the best and possible at that time. Then the Constitution, of course, underwent processes of change, and most of the changes were for the better," said Oleksandr Korniyenko, adding that illegal changes always have rejection in society, as was the case in 2013, when the Revolution of Dignity eliminated unlawful changes in the main document of the country.

That is why the predecessors laid down certain precautions that do not allow free change of the document. And this, according to Oleksandr Korniyenko, is extremely important.

"Of course, there are fundamental things that change only in referendums: only the people can influence changes concerning human rights, symbols, Ukraine's sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The founding fathers prescribed such mechanisms that force the search for a serious political consensus in society and in the Verkhovna Rada. The 300 votes needed for the last vote in Parliament on amendments to the Constitution are impossible without a consensus between the government and the opposition. And this is a reflection of a certain consensus in society," said the First Vice Speaker of Parliament.

He added that the most important votes took place in the presence of such agreements and joint work of all parliamentary forces: voting for European integration, determining the path to NATO, judicial reform. Decentralization and administrative reform have long been discussed, which unfortunately prevented the end of the war.

In addition, Oleksandr Korniyenko noted that it is on Constitution Day that the issue of young people's interest in politics, which has a great impact on the life of the country, should be raised.

"In Ukraine, certain categories of the population, of certain age and social status have always been interested in politics, and they have significantly influenced the election results. For a long time, young people did not understand that the Parliament needs not only people of respectable age, but also young people," Oleksandr Korniyenko stressed.

The First Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on young people to be more responsible and demanding in politics, to offer their ideas, their strengths and talents for their own growth and the growth of society.

"Thank you all for your activity, on Constitution Day. Victory to all of us, victory to each of you in life.
I wish us victory in Ukraine as soon as possible and start building a dream country in which we all want to live," Oleksandr Korniyenko wished everyone present at the end of the discussion.