No elections in Ukraine until the war would be over; society considered it inappropriate, VRU Speaker Stefanchuk said
In a recent interview, VRU Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced that all branches of the Ukrainian government, in coordination with society, have agreed not to conduct elections until the end of the ongoing war. Stefanchuk emphasized the importance of aligning decisions regarding democratic governance with existing legislation and the country's current state. "Any decision-making on the democratic renewal of power should always be correlated with the current legislation by the situation in the country. Since neither the Constitution of Ukraine nor the Ukrainian legislation approved in peacetime provides for the specifics of holding elections in wartime, we needed to consult with partners with such experience," he said. Stefanchuk stated that, based on the collective decision, Ukraine will refrain from holding elections during martial law.
Ukraine's Parliament adopted several laws at its plenary meeting on January 16, 2024. In the first reading, MPs adopted:
VRU Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, who arrived in Kyiv on an official visit. Stefanchuk expressed gratitude to Mieriņa for the extensive political support Ukraine has received from the Saeima, including military assistance and the proposal to establish a drone coalition. The discussion also encompassed topics such as the defense industry's progress and the ongoing reception of Ukrainian military personnel for treatment and rehabilitation. Stefanchuk acknowledged Latvia's support in advocating for Ukraine's advancements in the EU and NATO, highlighting the significance of Ukraine's European and NATO integration. The speakers also discussed the issue of freezing and confiscating Russian assets. Following the meeting, Daiga Mieriņa addressed the MPs in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
VRU Speaker Stefanchuk has approved the composition of the permanent delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Ukrainian permanent delegation to PACE includes the following members:
Representatives of civil society advocate opening Parliament to the press. In his column for Ukrainska Pravda, Oleksandr Salizhenko, the editor-in-chief of the Chesno Movement, strongly advocates for the idea of granting access to journalists in the Verkhovna Rada. He emphasizes that during the war, openness and transparency have become crucial trust criteria for state institutions, especially for Parliament. Salizhenko contends that maintaining openness is not only essential but also represents a significant advantage even amidst challenging circumstances. Since the initiation of martial law in February 2022, the Ukrainian parliament has been working in a closed mode and hasn’t broadcasted sessions on the TV or internet.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" established partnership with VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech to make the Parliament more transparent during wartime
The Committee on Freedom of Speech joined the "Model Committees" initiative within USAID "RADA: Next Generation". As a result, in 2024, Program will provide support to eight VRU Committees. The cooperation with the above-mentioned Committee will include the support in conducting public events and consultations and enhancing the institutional capacities of the secretariat via functional analyses and communication activities. Also, Program is assisting the Committee in developing and implementing the concept to guarantee the press access to Parliament by organizing briefings and events dedicated to key legislation and European integration.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" develops the study course for the future elected MPs
On January 17, Program conducted a meeting with the Training Center of VRU Research Service to finalize the curriculum of the study course for the newly elected MPs (New-member orientation course). Moreover, Program and the Training Center agreed upon the main formats of the course and the general structure of Guidelines for the newly elected MPs. USAID "RADA: Next Generation" will continue to support the Research Service in developing and implementing the course.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" facilitates the implementation of post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) to improve the legislation in Ukraine On January 16 and 18, Program, in cooperation with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, conducted a meeting with parliamentary committees to discuss the practice of post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) launched in December. This initiative involves three VRU Committees: the Youth and Sports Committee, the Committee on Energy and Housing, and the Committee on Economic Development. At the meeting, the committees shared their experiences in public surveys, discussed their findings, and outlined plans to monitor the law implementation. The Committee on Youth and Sports and the Committee on Energy and Housing have already concluded their public surveys. The Committee on Economic Development has opted to extend its survey. The Committee on Youth and Sports demonstrated the highest citizen participation in post-legislative scrutiny, with approximately 13,000 survey participants. On January 18, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy organized a meeting between the committees and Alistair Doherty, an expert and former senior official of the House of Commons in the UK. Mr. Doherty shared valuable insights on PLS practices from the UK Parliament's experience with the VRU colleagues.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" has strengthen the capacities of VRU Committee on Environmental Policy to implement the European integration roadmap On January 16-18, USAID "RADA: Next Generation" held a training «EU legislation in Ukraine: practical aspects for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine» upon a request from the Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management. The training covered institutional architecture of the EU, and the legal requirements and procedures for joining the EU. 10 Secretariat staffers and MP aids joined the event. The participants were provided with the understanding and training of practical skills in adapting the legislation of Ukraine to the provisions of the EU acquis, including writing draft acts using various elements like impact assessment, compliance tables, etc.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" helps the VRU Research Service promote parliamentary oversight. On January 16-18, USAID "RADA: Next Generation" supported the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in conducting a training on parliamentary oversight for 28 VRU Secretariat staffers. The training focused on the essence of parliamentary oversight, its practical implementation and best international practices of this function. Parliamentary oversight is an essential element of good governance ensuring that empowered officials and institutions are acting in the best interests of the public and secure democratic principles.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" enhances Parliament's innovativeness and cybersecurity in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and VRU Secretariat. On January 12, USAID "RADA: Next Generation" experts met with Oleksiy Sydorenko, the head of the Computerized Department of the Secretariat VRU. Participants discussed upcoming initiatives with the particular focus on finalizing the VRU's strategic innovation plan. This plan includes measures and tools to enhance the Parliament's innovativeness and bolster its cybersecurity capacities. It was mutually agreed that Program would develop recommendations for the strategic plan and facilitate a series of discussions with stakeholders before the plan's final approval. Also, the participants discussed the collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, other relevant public institutions, and USAID projects related to cybersecurity and Ukraine's digital transformation.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" strengthens the media production skills of VRU staffers to improve the cooperation between Parliament and citizens On January 18, USAID "RADA: Next Generation" hosted a second online workshop, "Design and Production of Graphic Products for Communicators of Committees and the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine." During the coaching session, participants explore the tools of Google Slides, PowerPoint, and free and Pro versions of Canva. Also, VRU staffers trained how to apply fundamentals of composition, principles of colors and fonts. Additionally, VRU staffers explored specific graphic design examples, including quotes, infographics, photo reporting, etc. The training session intended to strengthen the external communication of the Ukrainian Parliament and improve interaction with voters through digital communication channels.
USAID "RADA: Next Generation" promotes cooperation between VRU and the European Parliament to foster Ukraine's European integration On January 17, USAID "RADA: Next Generation" organized a meeting between Secretary General of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Viacheslav Shtuchnyi and Secretary General of the European Parliament Klaus Welle together with former Director General Anthony Teasdale from European Parliamentary Research Service. Participants discussed the engagement of Mr. Welle into consultancy support for VRU on the law on parliamentary service, development of Research Service, and strategic plan of innovation for the war period. Also, Mr Shtuchny offered Mr Welle to become an adviser to the VRU Speaker. The participants agreed to develop a roadmap for further cooperation on the above-mentioned issues.