Parliament and Government Are Losing Citizens’ Trust. What Could Save the Progress of the Reforms?

Ukraine finds itself in an unprecedented situation where the mono-majority has had every opportunity to drive deep and systemic reforms. However, the potential for reform still needs to be increased. Crucial and large-scale bills are often passed under pressure from international partners, with MPs sometimes attempting to water down the essence of the legislation before it is passed. A vivid example is the “reboot” of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, including attempts to delay the re-certification of the agency’s employees. This creates the impression that lawmakers forget that reforms are not only necessary for securing external support but, more importantly, for strengthening Ukraine’s institutional resilience.

According to sociological surveys, trust in Parliament and government is declining, and the population increasingly believes the country is moving in the wrong direction.

The government’s role in implementing reforms

The government should be the driving force behind economic reforms, as it is de jure the leading player in negotiations with international partners, which determine the list of necessary reforms. 

However, reality paints a different picture: only 14% of all bills during the last session of the Verkhovna Rada were initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers. This is relatively modest compared to international standards. In countries like Poland, the United Kingdom, and others in Europe, the government initiates 60% to 90% of bills, most of which become law. In contrast, only 23% of government-initiated bills became laws in Ukraine between 2019 and 2023. This indicates a lack of a systematic approach to reform and weak coordination between branches of government. This situation is especially dangerous in times of war. 

How can the effectiveness of the legislative process be improved?

First, a strategic framework for adopting reforms is necessary.

It already exists—it’s the reform matrix created by the government based on commitments under the IMF program and the Ukraine Facility. This matrix needs to be communicated to Parliament and citizens.  

Second, the issue of “legislative spam” must be addressed.

During the tenure of the IX convocation of the Verkhovna Rada, 6,816 bills were registered, of which only 18% became laws. Over 60% of these bills received negative feedback from the Main Scientific and Expert Department and about 90% from the Main Legal Department, highlighting systemic issues in preparing legislative initiatives. This significantly complicates the work of committees, which struggle to process all the initiatives thoroughly.

We should adopt the practices of Western European countries, where the legislative process is more deliberate. For instance,  914 bills were registered between 2019 and 2023 in the United Kingdom and 1,802 in Poland. This indicates a more responsible approach to lawmaking, where each initiative undergoes thorough selection and expertise. 

Third, the Conciliation Council (which determines which bills are put to a vote) needs to work more constructively and consider the positions of not only the mono-majority but also other political forces. The Servant of the People party has enough votes to pass decisions without the rest of the factions. However, the essence of democracy is to take the opinion of the minority into account, even when it is not formally necessary. This would contribute to a more cohesive functioning of Parliament.

Finally, a government of national unity should be established

In times of war, the citizens of Ukraine rightly expect unity from their leaders. Low government activity, lack of coordination, and weak reform efforts weaken Ukraine’s domestic and international position.

In this situation, it is worth considering the possibility of forming a national unity government, where representatives of different political forces come together to select a government that meets people’s expectations. Notably, according to a sociological survey conducted last year, only 19% of citizens viewed this idea negatively, while 37% and 38% viewed it positively or neutrally.

A joint decision on establishing a government of national unity could unite politicians and increase public trust in government institutions. Such a new government could become the driving force behind the reforms that Ukraine urgently needs and send a strong signal to international partners that Ukraine is ready for decisive action.