Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine — new appointments expected tomorrow

Today, July 16, the Verkhovna Rada voted to dismiss the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The decision was supported by 261 deputies.

This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

From this moment, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and all ministers hold the status of “acting.”

According to parliamentary sources, Shmyhal may already be appointed Minister of Defense as early as tomorrow, while the position of Prime Minister is expected to be offered to Yulia Svyrydenko, who previously headed the Ministry of Economy.

However, several experts and lawyers note that this rotation scheme within the government may violate the Constitution of Ukraine. The fundamental law does not provide for the automatic appointment of a new prime minister without a full parliamentary procedure, including the president’s submission of a candidate and approval by the Verkhovna Rada after consultations with parliamentary factions. Such violations could cast doubt on the legitimacy of the future government.

Additionally, it is known that Rustem Umerov will be appointed ambassador to the United States, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries, previously headed by Herman Smetanin, will be merged with the Ministry of Defense. Oksen Lisovyi (Education Ministry) and Viktor Lyashko (Health Ministry) will retain their positions despite rumors of their possible dismissal. Serhiy Marchenko will remain Finance Minister, and the Foreign Ministry will continue to be headed by Andriy Sybiha.

Denys Shmyhal had served as prime minister since March 4, 2020, making him the longest-serving head of government in the history of independent Ukraine. On the eve of the vote, President Volodymyr Zelensky officially proposed Yulia Svyrydenko as the candidate for prime minister.