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Ukrainian parliament dismisses country's prime minister

Legislature votes to accept Oleksiy Honcharuk resignation, president nominates deputy as new premier

Elena Teslova  | 04.03.2020 - Update : 05.03.2020
Ukrainian parliament dismisses country's prime minister

MOSCOW

The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted Wednesday to accept the resignation of the nation’s prime minister, Oleksiy Honcharuk, following criticism over his six-month tenure from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Some 353 members voted for Honcharuk's resignation at an extraordinary session in country's capital Kiev, summoned on the president's request.

In a speech to lawmakers before the vote, Zelenskiy criticized Honcharuk's cabinet for failing to meeting tax collection targets, a decline in manufacturing output and absence of pensions readjustment.

In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, the decision leads to the resignation of the entire government.

Right after the vote, the president nominated Denis Shmygal for the premier's slot. The 44-year-old was named deputy prime minister last month.

The possibility of Honcharuk's dismissal was first reported in February over his administration's 'bad governance' and lowering popularity among the masses.

The 35-year old was the youngest premier in Ukraine's history. He had first offered his resignation in January after being caught on tape saying Zelenskiy knew nothing about the economy. He, however, was asked to stay in post.

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