Kyiv is not ready for a compromise with the South-East: deputies did not support holding a consultative poll on May 25
Kyiv, May 06 (Navigator, Vladimir Raichenko) – The main result of today’s closed meeting of the Verkhovna Rada is that the main legislative body of the country refused to demonstrate at least the appearance of readiness for a compromise with the rebellious regions of the South-East.
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There were never enough votes in parliament to support the government bill on holding an All-Ukrainian Consultative Poll on May 25, the final wording of which remained exclusively with the Verkhovna Rada. And this despite the fact that the survey did not have any legal force, that is, its results did not entail legal consequences even in the event of an unfavorable outcome for the authorities.
There were only 154 votes in favor of the bill, with 226 required. Of the factions representing the ruling coalition, the VO “Svoboda” refused to vote in its entirety. Apparently, it is unlikely that in the near future the current composition of the Verkhovna Rada will decide to expand the powers of local self-government within the framework of the so-called decentralization, as Vice Speaker Ruslan Koshulinsky made clear to journalists.
“Today we must restore order in the country, and only then talk about expanding powers or how the executive committee should be elected,” the vice speaker emphasized. – Can we now take away powers from administrations during military operations? It is necessary to implement the Constitution that exists now and there is no need to invent anything by negotiating with hidden or overt separatists who say, expand our powers.”