Prime Minister of Ukraine

The Prime Minister of Ukraine ({{lang-ua|????'??-??????? ???????}}) presides over the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which is the top body of the executive branch of the Ukrainian government.

Appointment and dismissal

The PM is appointed by the President upon the ratification of the candidate by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament).

Related Topics:
President - Verkhovna Rada

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As a rule, the ratification is preceded by several days of comprehensive consultations and interviews of the candidate by the parliamentary factions. The approval by the legislature is not a mere formality. Some candidates were ratified by narrow margin and a candidate may be turned down. For instance, in 1999, Valeriy Pustovoytenko fell short of 3 votes to be re-confirmed after he tendered his resignation at the second inauguration of President Kuchma. Kuchma chose Viktor Yushchenko as his alternate candidate. Another example is the ratification of Yuriy Yekhanurov. He was short of 3 votes to get ratified and was confirmed on the second attempt 2 days later.

Related Topics:
Valeriy Pustovoytenko - Kuchma - Viktor Yushchenko - Yuriy Yekhanurov

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The PM, as well as any other Cabinet member, may resign voluntarily by tendering the resignation to the President. After the adoption of the current Constitution of Ukraine, only Pavlo Lazarenko lost his post this way. As a rule the PM is dismissed unilaterally by the President.

Related Topics:
Constitution of Ukraine - Pavlo Lazarenko

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In addition, the Verkhovna Rada may pass a resolution of no confidence in the Cabinet, which must result in the PM's resignation. However, the parliament cannot put the resolution on vote within one year after the approval of the Cabinet's programme. The parliament dismissed the Cabinets of Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. The latter refused to tender his resignation to the President claiming a violation of the one-year period condition.

Related Topics:
Resolution of no confidence - Viktor Yanukovych

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