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Rada did not have enough votes to appoint Yuri Vitrenko as head of the Ministry of Energy (Photo: Yuri Vitrenko Press Service)
The Verkhovna Rada was unable to appoint the former executive director of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, Yuriy Vitrenko, as Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister – energy minister, as there were not enough votes for this.
186 deputies voted in favor and 226 are required. His candidacy was supported by 153 deputies from the Servant of the People, 18 from the Por el Futuro group, 12 from Dovira and three non-factional people’s deputies.
Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said during a parliamentary meeting that Vitrenko has «in-depth knowledge of Ukraine’s energy sector, which is essential to complete its transformation successfully. “
«This also requires the mandate of the first deputy prime minister ”, added the head of government.
Vitrenko told the deputies that «In his career as a manager, he demonstrated the rationality and usefulness of sustainable development, which is based simply on equal rules of the game rather than preferences and some short-term advantages. “
Responding to a question about the prospects for cutting gas rates, he said he sees «certain reserves to reduce the wholesale gas price on a market-based basis in full compliance with Ukraine’s international obligations, in particular with regard to accession to the Energy Community. “According to Vitrenko, this requires increasing production of its own gas and introduce energy efficiency measures, and prices also need to be based on the concentrator minus principle, not concentrator plus, he added.
«To do this, it is necessary to pressure Gazprom to stop abusing its dominant position in the market, ”Vitrenko said.
The head of the Servant of the People faction David Arahamia said that problems have accumulated in the energy sector, the solution of which is constantly being postponed, therefore «a professional person with extensive experience. “
Some MPs criticized Vitrenko, in particular, because he did not agree to reject the second part of the award for the victory over Gazprom in the Stockholm arbitration.
Earlier today, the profile committee voted against his appointment as first deputy prime minister, energy minister of Ukraine. During the committee meeting, Vitrenko, in particular, had to make excuses about the second part of the award. Yesterday, the media reported that they would pay him $ 4 million. Vitrenko said that the settlement agreement, which is being concluded with Naftogaz, states that instead of money he will receive long-term hryvnia bonds.
