Stefanchuk: Anti-oligarchic reform to be implemented in three areas

"First of all, it is a sphere of politics. The next sphere is mass media. The third sphere is a monopolistic impact on the economy. It is in these three areas that a certain restrictive influence will be implemented," Ruslan Stefanchuk, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said on the air of the Great De-oligarchization program on Ukraine 24 TV channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Stefanchuk explained that bill No. 5599 "On Prevention of Threats to National Security Related to Excessive Influence of Persons Who Have Significant Economic or Political Heft in Public Life (Oligarchs)" creates only general legal preconditions. In particular, the draft law defines who the oligarch is, obliges oligarchs and their entourage to become public, and declare their assets publicly. "This is the first, but not the last step," the First Deputy Speaker said.

According to him, the political track in the reform implementation includes bills related to political lobbying. "The second area is mass media. It is clear that there will be a number of restrictions related to antitrust influence on the media. The media must remain to be a mouthpiece and must cease to be propaganda machines," Stefanchuk added.

At the same time, the third area, the monopolistic influence on the economy, provides for "a large list of issues related to antitrust law."

As reported, on July 1, the Verkhovna Rada passed at first reading the presidential bill No.5599 "On Prevention of Threats to National Security Related to Excessive Influence of Persons Who Have Significant Economic or Political Heft in Public Life (Oligarchs)".

The provisions of the document, in particular, provide for the establishment of criteria by which a person can be classified as an oligarch. In addition, the creation of the register of oligarchs is stipulated.

To date, 1,230 amendments were submitted for the second reading of the bill.

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