In War, Ukraine’s Parliament Asserts Its Democratic Role
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Loading... - Aria Scavo
- 11 Apr 2023
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Feb. 24, 2022 was a test for Ukraine’s institutions, none less than its Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Would the enemy army frighten us? Two hours after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, almost 300 out of 423 parliamentarians gathered at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada to vote for laws that would be necessary to counteract the armed aggression of one of the most powerful militaries in the world. In the year since then, Ukraine has demonstrated how it would preserve its democracy even during Russia’s persistent aggression. The Ukrainian people and the Parliament have done what many around the world believed was impossible.
Ukraine’s Political System
Ukraine is a mixed, parliamentary-presidential republic, in which the unicameral Parliament occupies a prominent place and the president has less power than the combined authority of the people’s “deputies,” as members of the Verkhovna Rada (literally translated the Supreme Council, “Rada” for short) are known. Members are elected in a political party-based system of proportional representation. The president is the face of the State and has significant authority over issues such as foreign and defense policy, and he serves as commander in chief of the armed forces. The Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers are responsible for everything else. The president can propose and veto legislation, and the Rada has the right to override vetoes. Ukraine also has a prime minister, who is appointed by the president with the Rada’s consent, and heads the government. Read More…
