Parliament dismisses Anticorruption Committee Chairman Yegor Soboliev
On its sitting on December 6 coalition of 12 Poroshenko’s, Narodnyi Front’s and Oppoblock’s MPs pulled through the Anticorruption Committee the decision on initiating dismissal of Soboliev from the position of the Committee’s Chairman allegedly because he failed to organise the work of the committee. In fact, they sought for a pretext to pass a no-confidence motion against Soboliev – MPs boycotted the work of the committee for months.
With 256 votes Soboliev’s was dismissed by the Rada on December 7. Poroshenko’s Block, Narodnyi Front, Radical Party and Oppoblock united to get this decision passed. Soboliev says he was threatened with dismissal since March.
Soboliev proved to be one of the most effective and sincere drivers of anticorruption reform in the Parliament, he protects the independence of NABU and opposes appointment of a loyal auditor, advocates for the establishment of the anticorruption court. Under his Chairmanship the Committee adopted a number of crucially important laws, aimed at implementing Ukraine’s commitments within the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, IMF and MFA programs.
EU voiced their concerns about Sobolev’s dismissal.