Today, the rate of representation by parliamentarians is approximately 10 MPs per 1 million Ukrainians, while in European countries it stands higher: 14 – in France, 15 – in Poland, 16 – in Italy etc. In addition, the quantitative composition of the Ukrainian parliament (450 MPs) is also far from the highest rate compared to neighbouring countries.

The goal of saving budget funds is, of course, a noble one. However, I believe that the primary task of the parliament as a representative body is to maintain access of the Ukrainian people to governing of the state. Especially in the context of unreasonably high salaries of executive officials and officials of state-run enterprises.

In my opinion, before making amendments to the Constitution, it would also be necessary to cut the minimum number of MPs required for a constitutional representation or constitutional appeal. Otherwise, it will be much more difficult to collect 45 signatures of parliamentarians with a one and a half times fewer number of MPs in the downsized Verkhovna Rada, which means that our voters will be limited in their rights.

Reduction in the number of MPs is not the only proposed amendment to the Constitution; the bill also provides for the establishment of a proportional electoral system in the Basic Law. And I kindly remind you that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine previously considered this provision to be inadvisable.