Oleksiy Shevchuk, president of the National Association of Lobbyists, called for greater transparency regarding influence on legislative initiatives
All individuals in Ukraine who engage in lobbying or advocacy for legislative initiatives related to changes in the structure or functioning of government bodies, the subordination of government agencies, or amendments to the Constitution must officially register.
This was stated by Oleksiy Shevchuk, a lawyer and chairman of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine.
According to him, the issue of transparency in lobbying activities is particularly important when it comes to changes in the functioning of state institutions.
“All individuals in the country who engage in lobbying or advocacy for legislative initiatives related to changes in the structure of government bodies, changes in the functioning of specific government agencies and their reporting relationships, amendments to the Constitution, or changes to the chain of command for officials of state authorities, must be officially registered,” he noted.
He also emphasized that nominations for specific government positions may be submitted only by the relevant minister, not by a person temporarily acting in that capacity. Such nominations must subsequently be approved by the government.
As an example, he cited situations in which certain state institutions are attempting to introduce procedures that, in his words, are not provided for by current legislation or the Constitution.
“We are witnessing an open information campaign aimed at implementing procedures not provided for by current legislation or the Constitution,” said the association’s chairman.
In his view, such campaigns may be carried out by certain groups funded by grant money.
“Today, drafting a law or holding a rally—everything requires financial resources. As the head of the National Association of Lobbyists, I am concerned that there are groups of people who can freely conduct active campaigns aimed at changing the structure of how government bodies operate,” he stated.
He also raised the issue of funding for such informational and political campaigns.
“Who is funding campaigns aimed at changing how government bodies operate in the country? Who is funding campaigns aimed at amending our country’s Constitution? Who is footing the bill?” he asked.
According to the association’s chairman, the current situation is such that official lobbyists are required to report their meetings with members of parliament, while other groups can influence the legislative process without any public accountability.
“While lobbyists today must report their meetings with members of parliament, those who do not report their meetings with lawmakers can, at no cost and without hindrance—using funds from some investor—meet with compliant lawmakers and submit draft laws to them that end up in parliament. And we do not know who is financing this sometimes destructive campaign against the functioning of the state as a whole,” he concluded.
As a reminder, attorney Oleksiy Shevchuk spoke out about attempts to block the work of the High Council of Justice.
Oleksiy Shevchuk called for an end to the harassment of the police following the terrorist attack in Kyiv.
Oleksiy Shevchuk joined the selection committee for appointing the deputy head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
