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Ukrainian politologist: Verkhovna Rada should hurry

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Ukrainian politologist: Verkhovna Rada should hurry

The new Ukrainian parliament will work effectively for at least the first six months, but contradictions may arise later.

The first meeting of the Verkhovna Rada took place today. Ukrainian politologist Volodymyr Fesenko discussed with charter97.org if the new Rada is ready to work effectively and without conflicts and what priority tasks politicians have.

– Despite critical expectations and skepticism, the coalition was formed very fast. The previous decisions were approved, and the coalition includes 302 MPs. They nominated their candidates to the posts of speaker and prime minister, and the choice was made by a majority. It proves that the parliament can work at least at the first stage. There were no conflicts and incidents despite expectations. They were persuaded not to make a show out of parliamentary sessions and demonstrate effective work, and they did it.

– How do you assess the Rada's ability to work constructively?

– I think they are working effectively and according to plans. The prime minister will be approved today or tomorrow. We can see a new composition of the government as early as on Tuesday.

– What are the main tasks for the Verkhovna Rada for today?

– The main mission of the parliament and the government that it should form is reforms. They will be worked out by both the president and the government, but it is the Verkhovna Rada that will discuss them. It will be a co-author. So, the reforms are their main mission and the priority task. Reforms should touch most spheres of life.

– Are there any urgent tasks?

– One of the priority tasks is reforming the budget. Serious changes in both budget and taxation systems are needed. This is the first step. A constitutional reform is also needed. 300 votes is the minimum to amend the Constitution. The project of amendments should be prepared and approved. It needs a majority of votes to pass second reading, but no one can guarantee it. Contradictions in the coalition will grow, so it's better to vote on it at the first session, by the end of November, and have a second reading at the end of spring. I think the constitutional majority will still exist and coalition will be able to work in concert. Contradictions are inevitable over reforms and the issues relating to the war in eastern Ukraine. Contradictions inside the parliament and inside the coalition will grow. They need to hurry. They must do a greater part of the reform work at the first stage of the parliament's work while they have a strong majority.

– Will the new Rada cope with the mission?

– The Rada will be effective at the first stage. The first voting showed that the Rada has a constitutional majority and that people intend to work constructively, but it cannot continue forever. Our complicated contradictions and our logic suggest that in the process of reforms with the deterioration of the social and economic situation, and these processes are already happening, contradictions both in society and in the parliament will grow. The parliament should hurry. Many skeptics forecast a short life of the new Rada. It is highly probable, taking into account our instability, but we have a margin of safety for at least six months.

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