Members of the Verkhovna Rada Power Committee led by MP Inna Sovsun, have initiated a decision to dismiss Power Minister Herman Halushchenko, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak introduced on Jan. 10.
Zhelezniak cited a number of causes for the movement, together with "systemic corruption within the power sector," "failure to guard components of the power infrastructure," and "lies and manipulations."
The MP additionally criticized Halushchenko’s conduct throughout a parliamentary session earlier that day, calling it "unacceptable."
One of many key controversies entails the general public disclosure of data on additional completion of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Energy Plant’s (NPP) energy items. Sovsun highlighted a letter despatched to the Power Committee from representatives of the European Fee and the U.S. Embassy expressing considerations about this problem.
Throughout the session, Halushchenko confronted backlash for dismissive remarks directed on the EU ambassador.
Responding to Sovsun's considerations, he mentioned: "Actually, that is precisely the case, and if we’re speaking concerning the third and fourth [power units], it’s within the textual content of the regulation that these items will function on American gas. As for the place of the middle-level clerks of the European Fee's illustration, Inna, I’m very sorry that you’re working round embassies and pouring mud on our power sector and our state."
The Power Ministry later clarified that Halushchenko's remarks didn’t reference the EU ambassador to Ukraine, as steered throughout the session.
Zhelezniak known as on lawmakers to help the decision for Halushchenko’s dismissal, marking a possible shift in Ukraine’s power management. Halushchenko has served as Power Minister since his appointment on Apr. 29, 2021.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk