Political System of Ukraine

Ukraine is a sovereign state. On June 16, 1990 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. On August 24,1991, Ukraine’s independence and the formation of the independent state of Ukraine was proclaimed by the Ukrainian Parliament.

On December 1,1991, an all-Ukrainian referendum was held , involving 84.18 percent of citizens.

Winning 61.6 percent of the votes, L.Kravchuk, the former head of the Verkhovna Rada, was elected President of Ukraine.

In 1994 L.Kuchma won the Presidential elections and became the new President of Ukraine.

A new state, Ukraine, appeared on the world political map in 1991. It is a democratic state, which is ruled by the law. It includes 24 administrative regions and the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea. Ukraine has its own Constitution, which was adopted in 1996. The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters (161 articles). The day of its adoption (June, 28, 1996) is a state holiday – the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

The political system of Ukraine is really democratic. The powers of the Government are divided into legislative, executive and judicial. The President is the head of the state. He is elected for a term of five years. The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada. It carries out domestic and foreign policy of the state.

The Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) is the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine. It includes 450 deputies who are elected for a term of four years. The Verkhovna Rada adopts the State Budget and controls the execution of it.

Judicial power in Ukraine is led by the Supreme Court.

There are very many political parties in Ukraine. The main parties are: the Social Democratic Party, the People’s Rukh of Ukraine, the Batkivshchyna, the Communist Party, the Women of Ukraine.

The National Emblem of Ukraine is a Golden Tryzub (trident) on a blue shield. The National Flag of Ukraine is a rectangular cloth with two horizontal stripes of equal width, the upper colored blue and the lower golden yellow. The National Anthem has been performed since January 1992 (music by M.M.Verbytsky).

The National Holiday, Independence Day, is celebrated on August 24.

Now Ukraine establishes new relations with countries throughout the world. It sets direct contacts with them signing agreement and treaties.

Exercise 1. Give Ukrainian equivalents for the following:

- to elect

- to divide

- to rule

- to carry out

- the Supreme Court

- the national anthem

- domestic policy

- to be accountable to

- foreign policy

Exercise 2. Give English equivalents for the following:

- суверенна держава

- незалежність

- президентські вибори

- законодавча влада

- виконавча влада

- судова влада

- приймати (про закон)

- державне свято

- проголошувати

Exercise 3. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine’s independence was proclaimed by the Ukrainian Parliament

2. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is the only body of the executive power.

3. Ukraine includes 24 administrative regions and the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea.

4. The powers of the government are divided into legislative, executive and judicial.

5. The National Holiday, Independence Day, is celebrated on August 28.

6. In 1993 L.Kuchma won the Presidential elections and became the President of Ukraine.

7. L.Kravchuk was the first President of Ukraine.

Exercise 4. Answer the following questions:

1. When did the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine pass the Declaration of State Sovereignty.

2. By whom was Ukraine’s independence proclaimed?

3. What event took place in Ukraine on December 1, 1991?

4. Who was elected the first President of Ukraine?

5. When did L.Kuchma become the President of Ukraine?

6. How many regions does Ukraine include?

7. How are the powers of the government divided into?

8. What is the National Emblem of Ukraine?

9. Who was a music to the National Anthem written by?

10. When is Independence Day celebrated?

11. When is the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine celebrated?