On November, 25 in Kyiv the XI Congress of the “Ukrainian Patriots Association – UKROP” was held. It was attended by 422 delegates of regional and Kyiv city party organizations, the MPs and representatives of the Embassies of Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Germany, the United States and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).
Delegates have approved the list of members of the Party Political Council and the Party Control Commission. Taken decisions should start reloading of political force according to the new democratic party rules, adopted in September.
Under provisions of a new charter, the Political Council includes the Heads of UKROP regional organizations (ex officio) and two representatives from every region and Kyiv. Thus there are 75 members in the Political Council. Among the body’s functions – convention of Party Congresses, election of the Presidium among its members and appointment or dismissal of the Party deputy chairmen at the request of its Head. Within the competence of the Political Council is also to take decisions on cooperation with Ukrainian and foreign parties and public associations, and forming candidates pool for the Government of Ukrainian perspective.
At the same time the newly formed Party Control Commission (PCC) will monitor compliance with the charter, programme documents and party discipline of the UKROP members and leaders. “The party court” should consider internal party disputes, eliminate irregularities in the work of the party statutory bodies. It is also empowered to revoke decisions of the Party Presidium and Councils of party organizations that contradict the charter, party program or legislation of Ukraine. PCC also has the right to reinstate wrongfully terminated membership of the party members. By rating-based voting the former head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration Ihor Kolomoisky, who had joined UKROP, was elected the chairman of the Commission. Initially there were seven candidates, but five of them have withdrawn in favour of Ihor Kolomoisky.
In addition, during the XI Congress the Audit Committee, which is to conduct financial audit of UKROP’s and its organisational units’ activity, was also created. By rating-based voting 7 members were elected to the Committee.
However, the Chairman of the Party will be elected at the next Congress. According to the new party rules, any region can nominate its candidate for the position of the Chairman of the “Ukrainian Patriots Association – UKROP”. Self-nominated candidates also have the opportunity to head the party.
