Government System of Ukraine

Verkhovna Rada Ukraine parliament building

Current Heads of Government
President Viktor Yanukovych Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov
Source: http://wikimapia.org/247 42/Verkhovna-RadaUkraine-parliamentbuilding

First Vice-Prime Minister, Serhiy Arbuzov

Background
From 1922 to 1991 Ukraine was one of the fifteen constituent republics of the Soviet Union and was known as the Ukrainian Soviet Social Republic. Ukraine declared its independence on August 24, 1991 and adopted a democratic constitution in 1996. Ukraine is now a semi-presidential government with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

laws, ratifying international treaties, appointing officials, including the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and electing judges. In recent years, Verkovna Radas authority of the oversight and selection of the executive branch has increased.

For more information and current events please visit: http://www.kmu.gov .ua/control/en

Executive Branch
The Executive branch is made of the Prime Minister, a First Vice-Prime Minister, and several Vice Ministers making up the Cabinet of Ministers. The Prime Minister is responsible for the execution of the law passed by the cabinet. The Prime Minister acts as Head of State in the absence of a President. Likewise, the First Vice-Prime Minister acts as Prime Minister in such an absence.

President of Ukraine
The powers of the President of Ukraine are stipulated by the Constitution of Ukraine. The President is the guarantor of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He has the power to revoke acts of government bodies and branched of power. As the Head of State, the President represents and acts on behalf of Ukraine internationally and is in charge of foreign policy. As Commander inChief, the President heads the National Security and Defense Council, and makes decisions on the use of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The President can only serve two consecutive five year terms.

Judicial Branch
The Judicial branch can be broken up into the Constitutional jurisdiction and general jurisdiction. The Constitutional Court of Ukraine was formed in October 1996 and its judges serve a 9year term. General jurisdiction includes the Supreme Court, high specialized courts, regional courts, and local district courts. Although the Constitution of Ukraine provides for trial by jury, this has yet to be implemented. Also, some courts are still in project. For this reason, a judicial branch reform is currently being worked on.

Ukraine President, Viktor Yanukovych

Source: http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine /ukrainian-polish-experience-of-euro-2012will-be-u.html

Legislative Branch
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is a 450 seat unicameral parliament. The duties of Verkovna Rada include amending the Constitution of Ukraine, drafting