Discover

The 'President of Ukraine' ()) is the head of the state of Ukraine and acts in its name. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the President is the guarantor of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity, the observance of the Constitution of Ukraine and human and civil rights and liberties. The President is elected by the citizens of Ukraine by way of a universal, equal and direct vote for a five-year term.
The President's official residence for ceremonial purposes is Mariyinsky Palace. Other official residences include the House with Chimaeras and the House of the Weeping Widow.
Currently, the President of Ukraine is Viktor Yushchenko who was sworn in on January 23, 2005.

Contents

Powers and duties

Presidents of Ukraine

Ukrainian People's Republic

Latest election

See also

External links

Powers and duties

As defined by Article 106 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the President:
#Ensures state independence, national security and the legal succession of the state.
#Addresses the nation annually or on extraordinary occasions addresses the Verkhovna Rada on the internal and external state of Ukraine.
#Represents the state in international relations, conducts negotiations and signs treaties.
#decides on recognition of foreign states.
#Appoints and dismisses the diplomatic representatives of Ukraine to foreign states (the respective decrees have to be counter-signed by the Prime-Minister and the Foreign Minister in order to be valid), accepts the credentials of foreign diplomats.
#proclaims national referendum to amend the Constitution and proclaims national referendum on the people's initiative.
#Proclaims extraordinary elections to the Verkhovna Rada (the Supreme Council).
#May dissolve the Verkhovna Rada in certain cases specified by the Constitution.
#On the proposal of the coalition of parliamentary fractions, submits the candidacy of the Prime Minister for appointment by the Verkhovna Rada (no later than on the 15th day after having received the proposal).
#Submits the candidacy of the Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs for appointment by the Verkhovna Rada.
#Appoints and dismisses, with the consent of Verkhovna Rada, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
#Appoints and dismisses one-half of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine.
#Appoints and dismisses one-half of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting.
#Submits to the Verkhovna Rada for approval an appointment or dismissal of the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
#Puts a halt on the execution of the acts of the Cabinet on grounds of constitutionality and simultaneously submits the case to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.
#Revokes the acts of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
#Is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appoints to and dismisses from office the high command of the Armed Forces and other military formations.
#Chairs the Council of National Security and Defence of Ukraine.
#Submits to the Verkhovna Rada for approval a Declaration of the State of War and adopts decisions on the use of the Armed Forces in the event of armed aggression against Ukraine.
#As specified by law, adopts a decision on general or partial mobilization and on the introduction of martial law in Ukraine or its parts (in the event of danger of aggression, danger to the independence of Ukraine).
#Adopts a decision, in the event of necessity, on the introduction of a State of Emergency and declare certain areas as Zones of Ecological Emergency Situation — with subsequent confirmation by the Parliament.
#Appoints and dismisses one-third of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.
#Establishes courts by the procedure determined by law.
#Confers high military, diplomatic and other special ranks and class orders.
#Confers state awards, establishes and confers presidential distinctions.
#Adopts decisions on the acceptance for citizenship of Ukraine and the termination of citizenship of Ukraine, and on the granting of asylum in Ukraine.
#Grants pardons.
#Creates, within the limits of the State Budget, consultative, advisory and other subsidiary bodies and services for the exercise of his or her authority.
#Signs bills adopted by the Parliament into laws.
#Has the right to veto laws (except laws amending the Constitution) with their subsequent return for repeat consideration by the Parliament.
#Has other powers as specified by the Constitution.

Presidents of Ukraine

On July 5, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR passed a law establishing the post of the President of ''the Ukrainian SSR''. The title was changed to the President of ''Ukraine'' upon the proclamation of independence (August 24, 1991). The first election of the President of Ukraine was held on December 1, 1991.

Ukrainian People's Republic

The Ukrainian People's Republic was formed after the Russian Revolution of 1917, and lasted until the Peace of Riga between Poland and Soviet Russia in March, 1921. The state leadership position title varied and, despite a rather widespread misconception, none of them had an official ''"Presidential"'' title.

Latest election

Main articles: Ukrainian presidential election, 2004

See also

★ List of national leaders of Ukraine

External links

★ Official Website of the President of Ukraine