Ukraine parliament delays prosecutor general dismissal

Ukraine’s parliament will consider approving the dismissal of Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin at its March 29 session, said on March 17 Parliamentary Head Volodymyr Hroisman. He made his announcement after summoning Shokin to parliament at yesterday’s session for a review and vote regarding his dismissal. Shokin’s dismissal has been recommended by two parliamentary committees, and has been urged by the U.S. government.

The Petro Poroshenko Bloc collected 72 signatures on March 17 to nominate its parliamentary faction head, Yuriy Lutsenko, as prosecutor general of Ukraine. He is being considered as Shokin’s replacement along with Yuriy Stoliarchuk, a deputy prosecutor general, reported the zn.ua news site.

Zenon Zawada: MPs suggested there weren’t enough votes to dismiss Shokin, which simply means that the president and prime minister aren’t ready to support the measure just yet, having not agreed upon his successor. Poroshenko could also be holding onto this bargaining chip for another deal to create the new coalition government. For example, the Self-Reliance party has already asked for Shokin’s dismissal as part of its demands in exchange for agreeing to select a new prime minister.

Lutsenko’s appointment would be a step in the right direction as prosecutor general, while Stoliarchuk is part of the old guard and wouldn’t represent any progress. If he were to use the post effectively, Lutsenko would have the ability to significantly boost’s the president public support, which is at its lowest now.