Ukrainian Parliament Overhauls Governance: Over 170 Laws to Be Revised and a New Civil Code Introduced

Ukraine's Parliament Launches Major Governance Reform

According to Главком: Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has initiated a sweeping overhaul of power distribution across different levels of government, alongside a review of more than 170 related laws. This announcement came during the International Forum on Cohesion, where Olena Shuliak, chair of the parliamentary committee on state governance, stressed the urgent need to clearly define authority. She stated:

“We must draw a clear line between the powers of public administration levels so that communities, the government, and parliament all understand their roles. Crucially, these powers must come with the necessary resources.” - Olena Shuliak

The parliament has already approved the relevant draft law in its first reading. For the second reading, approximately 1,700 amendments have been submitted. A key proposal introduces a new category of powers-optional or facultative-designed to give local authorities greater flexibility in decision-making.

Additionally, the committee is advancing a housing policy reform that includes creating a social housing fund with support from European partners. This reform also aims to simplify spatial and strategic planning systems within communities, aligning with Ukraine's European integration commitments and the requirements of the Ukraine Facility program.

On April 28, the Verkhovna Rada also passed in its first reading the draft of a new Civil Code (No. 15150), sponsored by Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. This proposal involves a complete recodification of civil law, with the new code structured into nine books. However, the parliament rejected a motion to extend the deadline for preparing the document for its second reading.

Together, these reforms are designed to improve governance processes in Ukraine and bring them in line with European standards.

Why These Reforms Matter

This redistribution of authority marks a critical step in Ukraine's decentralization process, granting local communities greater autonomy and resources to address their own issues. The introduction of facultative powers could be a game-changer, enabling more adaptive local management to meet contemporary challenges. Meanwhile, the housing policy reform and the new Civil Code are integral to modernizing the country's legal and social infrastructure, ensuring compliance with EU norms and supporting Ukraine's path toward European integration.

As these significant governance reforms unfold, the parliament's recent approval of a new Civil Code marks a pivotal step towards comprehensive legal modernization. This initiative not only aims to recodify civil law but also addresses essential changes that could impact various aspects of governance. To understand the implications of this new legislation, read more about the key changes expected in the recently passed Civil Code.