The number of MPs may be reduced. What is the reason?
11 April 2025 19:45
Due to a decrease in the number of people in Ukraine who need to be represented in parliament, the issue of reducing the number of MPs from 450 to 300 will likely arise.
This opinion was expressed by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk in the program“There is a conversation” on the YouTube channel of Ukrinform, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“I would like to remind you that on August 29, 2019, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada proposals for amendments to the Constitution, which provided for a reduction in the number of MPs to 300 people,” he said.
The Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament emphasized that the previous composition of the Constitutional Court had given a negative opinion on this draft law, which effectively blocked its consideration in the Verkhovna Rada.
“However, I am deeply convinced that the issue of reducing the number of MPs will undoubtedly arise in Ukrainian society,” Stefanchuk emphasized.
The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada explained that the reduction in the number of MPs may occur due to the fact that the population of Ukraine has objectively decreased, “and this is reflected in the number of people who should be represented in a single legislative body.”
“When there were 52 million people, it was one thing, but today, when there are much fewer people, the issue of representation in society certainly needs to be revised. I think that the figure of 300 is the one we can talk about, and it should become a guideline for further processes,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized.
At present, the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation has no problems with quorum or button-pressing. Legislative initiatives that are important for the country and society are adopted by more than 226 votes of MPs.
“In the Parliament of the ninth convocation, compared to the previous ones, we no longer face problems with button-pressing or lack of quorum. Laws are adopted, and the most important ones are adopted even by a constitutional majority,” he noted.
The politician recalled that on February 24, 2022, he was afraid to see a half-empty parliamentary hall, “but everyone was there.”
Stefanchuk thanked the MPs who fulfill their duties and uphold the oath they took in the parliament.
According to him, the 226 minimum required votes of MPs are always found, which demonstrates the unity of the parliament in adopting legislative initiatives important for the country and society.
“I am convinced that history will appreciate the work of this convocation of the Parliament. This is the first, and, God willing, the only parliament in the history of Ukraine that operates under martial law,” Stefanchuk emphasized.
