Rada unblocks signing of law on oligarchs

The Verkhovna Rada has rejected 12 draft resolutions repealing its September 23 decision on the adoption of the law on oligarchs, thus unblocking its signing by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the president of Ukraine.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, none of the draft resolutions proposing to repeal the decision of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of September 23, 2021 to adopt at second reading and in its entirety the draft law "On the prevention of threats to national security associated with the excessive influence of persons who have significant economic or political weight in public life (oligarchs)" gained the required number of votes at a parliament meeting on Tuesday, October 19.

The authors of 11 draft resolutions — MPs from the European Solidarity faction in parliament — proposed canceling the respective decision of the Verkhovna Rada due to the fact that the law on oligarchs was allegedly adopted in gross violation of the requirements of the parliament's rules of procedure.

At the same time, the authors of one draft resolution — parliamentarians from the Opposition Platform – For Life faction — insisted on the repeal of the parliament's decision as they believe that some provisions of the Verkhovna Rada's rules of procedure were violated during its consideration. In addition, in their opinion, the rights of MPs to discuss the submitted amendments and proposals, as well as to provide materials in advance before the day of consideration, were violated.

On September 23, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada passed Law No. 5599 "On the prevention of threats to national security associated with the excessive influence of persons who have significant economic or political weight in public life (oligarchs)."