Bill to Legalize Pornography Fails in Ukraine's Parliament

Vote on Draft Law No. 12191 Ends in Failure

According to Главком: The Holos faction showed a lack of engagement during the May vote on Draft Law No. 12191, authored by Yaroslav Zheleznyak. Lawmaker Andriy Osadchuk explained why the bill fell short, garnering only 207 votes. According to him, half of the faction's members opposed the initiative, resulting in insufficient support for passage.

Only about 10 deputies from the Holos faction were present in the chamber during the vote, as some were on official trips and others were ill. Osadchuk noted differing viewpoints among lawmakers on the issue, specifically pointing to 'radical left feminists' who hold a contrasting stance. In the law enforcement committee, where Osadchuk serves, a consensus had formed around legalizing 'adult content.'

Need for Proactive Efforts

Andriy Osadchuk also stated that the faction did not work on rallying votes, and no internal discussion took place. In his view, this highlighted the need for more active outreach to business groups and majority-party lawmakers.

'Honestly, we didn't work on mobilizing votes at all, and there was no internal debate. But this situation showed that such a discussion is necessary, and we need to engage more with business groups and majority-party members from various factions,'Andriy Osadchuk

He further emphasized that many pressing issues are currently under consideration, making it impossible to guarantee the bill will be addressed soon. 'We need to take a pause and allow the expert community to express their views,' the lawmaker said.

Osadchuk believes that legalizing 'adult content' is an important topic that warrants continued discussion, as he equates it with 'decommunizing minds.'

For context, Danylo Hetmantsev previously stated that Ukrainians earning income through platforms like OnlyFans must declare their earnings and pay taxes. That statement was made in early autumn of last year, underscoring the ongoing relevance of content legalization.

The failed vote on Draft Law No. 12191 thus reveals the complexity and divided positions within the Holos faction and Ukrainian society at large regarding the legalization of 'adult content.'

This legislative setback points to internal disagreements within Holos, which could hinder their ability to coordinate on key policy initiatives. The lack of unity and active vote mobilization may complicate future efforts to advance similar bills on content legalization in Ukraine. The situation underscores the need for greater communication and collaboration among lawmakers and experts to build consensus on critical issues.

In light of the recent vote, the debate surrounding the legalization of adult content in Ukraine continues to garner attention. The European Solidarity Party has been urged to reconsider its stance on this issue, as lawmakers from various factions express differing opinions. This highlights the ongoing complexities in the legislative process and the need for further dialogue among stakeholders.