This commentary highlights that in Ukraine's current political reality, parliament has been largely excluded from shaping and overseeing the executive branch. The president has acquired the authority to form and control the executive hierarchy at their discretion. According to the author, this has resulted in the shadowing of management processes, a lack of proper oversight, the emergence of so-called “overseers,” and decreased efficiency of state institutions.
The historical context notes that similar practices existed under Yanukovych’s regime, and despite certain reforms, the situation is repeating itself in form and substance today. All branches of government should interact, compete, and have mutual influence to improve policy-making; instead, parliament is relegated to a minimal role.
The author further focuses on the issues of manual management in key areas, especially law enforcement, economic programs, and state enterprises. Examples are provided of inefficient allocation of resources and lack of transparency. The question of officials’ responsibility and their inability to change the situation without systemic reforms is also raised.
The main hope in the present context is the evolution and empowerment of parliament, including its capacity to set the agenda and oversee the executive branch, even amid war and the absence of electoral processes. The author stresses the necessity of regular elections to refresh the government, restart the system, and restore balance between the branches of power.
In summary, a purely manual form of governance, with parliament excluded from the decision-making process, threatens the country’s political stability. Only by strengthening parliament’s role and implementing reforms can the preservation of the state and the development of an effective political system be assured.
