Voting Record Analysis of MPs from Kirovohrad Oblast
An examination of key legislative votes reveals the stances taken by Members of Parliament representing Kirovohrad Oblast on issues of decolonization, the independence of anti-corruption bodies, oversight of local government, and freedom of speech. Understanding these votes is crucial as Ukraine continues its reform path amidst ongoing conflict. The region's delegation in the Verkhovna Rada includes three majoritarian MPs from the 'Servant of the People' party: Oleksandr Danutsa, Ihor Murdiy, and Yuriy Kuzbyt; one MP from 'Restoration of Ukraine,' Oleh Voronko; and Oleh Tarasov, who entered parliament via the ruling party's list. Another figure is Bohdan Torokhtiy, formerly of 'Servant of the People' but now part of the 'For the Future' parliamentary group.
Oleksandr Danutsa, who headed Volodymyr Zelenskyy's regional campaign headquarters, faced criticism and was removed as head of the local 'Servant of the People' branch. This followed his interview admission of ties to businessman Illia Pavliuk, whom media consider an influential figure in the oblast. In 2016, parliament renamed the regional center from Kirovohrad to Kropyvnytskyi, a vote which former MP Oles Dovhyi did not support. Dovhyi has since resigned his mandate, while his former colleague Bohdan Torokhtiy was embroiled in scandal after being expelled from his faction for vacationing in Bulgaria at the start of the full-scale war.
Votes on Legislative Initiatives
MPs showed divergent positions during votes on specific bills. On the law for the decolonization of geographical names:
- Oleksandr Danutsa withdrew his voting card;
- Ihor Murdiy did not support the initiative;
- Oleh Voronko, Yuriy Kuzbyt, Oleh Tarasov, and Bohdan Torokhtiy voted 'yes'.
Regarding the ban on the Moscow Patriarchate, Oleh Voronko abstained, while the other Kirovohrad majoritarians supported the ban. However, Oleh Tarasov did not vote, and Bohdan Torokhtiy was absent.
Draft Law No. 12414, which concerned stripping independence from anti-corruption agencies, was supported by Danutsa, Torokhtiy, Murdiy, and Kuzbyt, while Oleh Voronko did not participate. Following this vote, Danutsa was expelled from the alumni community of the Ukrainian School of Political Studies. All Kirovohrad majoritarians supported Amendment No. 728 to Draft Law No. 14048, which weakened the oversight system for the legality of local council activities, except for Bohdan Torokhtiy, who was absent.
In 2021, the Verkhovna Rada failed to pass the Euro-integration draft law 'On Preventing and Controlling Pollution.' During that vote, Danutsa and Murdiy abstained, Voronko and Kuzbyt did not vote, and Tarasov supported it. Later, MPs voted on a new draft law, No. 11355, with similar norms, where Danutsa did not vote and Tarasov stopped attending sessions. The other Kirovohrad MPs supported this initiative.
Draft Law No. 10242, which increases criminal liability for disseminating confidential information from public registers, received support from Danutsa, Kuzbyt, Murdiy, and Torokhtiy, while Voronko did not vote. Another bill concerning client confidentiality was backed by all Kirovohrad majoritarians. The National Bar Association of Ukraine has been led for the past 12 years by Lidiia Izovitova, an associate of Viktor Medvedchuk.
This analysis of the voting records of Kirovohrad Oblast's MPs demonstrates a diversity of positions and the various influences shaping their parliamentary activity, particularly concerning crucial legislative initiatives in decolonization, anti-corruption, local government oversight, and free speech.
The review underscores not only the range of views among the region's representatives but also the significance of each vote within Ukraine's current political and social challenges. The differing stances of these deputies can impact the future development of legislation and the implementation of reforms vital to society as a whole.