Ukrainian parliament dismisses Lazebna as social policy minister

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has dismissed Maryna Lazebna as minister of social policy.

Some 277 MPs voted for a respective decision, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a people's deputy from the Holos parliamentary faction, said in a Telegram post.

He also added that the vote on the appointment of Oksana Zholnovych as Ukraine's social policy minister "will take place soon, but not today."

He recalled that only 27.2% or six out of 22 ministers from the initial composition of the 2020 government continue to work in the current Cabinet of Ministers.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked Lazebna for her productive work.

"The government, together with the Ministry of Social Policy, headed by Maryna Volodymyrivna, launched a number of programs to support citizens. Despite all the challenges, we consistently increased pensions and social benefits. The unified information system of the social sphere has become operational in the pilot regions. A lot of important and exemplary work has been done. We thank the minister for her effective work," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

He also recalled that Lazebna worked in the government for two years during the coronavirus pandemic and 145 days during a full-scale war.

Lazebna was appointed minister of social policy in March 2020.