A new political scandal is brewing in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, linked to personnel changes in the government. The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Digital Transformation has officially demanded explanations from the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the appointment of Oksana Ferchuk as Minister of Digital Transformation. The key complaint from the deputies is the lack of prior coordination of the candidate with the relevant committee, which violates established parliamentary procedures.
Violation of Appointment Procedure
According to the press service of the Verkhovna Rada, during a meeting on August 6, 2026, members of the relevant committee expressed serious concern. Deputies emphasized that the appointment of the new head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation took place without discussion with the elected representatives who oversee digitalization issues. This decision is perceived as an attempt by the government to bypass parliamentary control in a key sector for the country.
Oksana Ferchuk, the new minister, will now have to report to the committee on her plans and the development strategy of the ministry. Deputies insist that digital transformation is a matter of national security and sovereignty, so personnel decisions in this area cannot be made unilaterally.
Key Tasks of the New Minister
Despite the political noise, the committee recognized the importance of the tasks facing the Ministry of Digital Transformation. In particular, this refers to the development of defense technologies (Defence Tech), which have become critically important in the context of the ongoing war. Anti-corruption digital services and the integration of Ukraine into the European technological space also remain a priority.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation previously implemented a number of key reforms that allowed Ukraine to become one of the leaders in the level of digitalization of public services. However, deputies fear that without proper control from parliament, the pace of reforms may slow down or go in the wrong direction. The new minister will have to prove her competence and ability to continue the work started.
Consequences of the Cabinet's Resignation
In addition to the personnel scandal, the committee meeting was dedicated to reviewing the work plan in connection with the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to current rules, government bills that parliament has not managed to adopt in the first reading are considered withdrawn. This led to the fact that a number of important initiatives were removed from the list of proposals and plans of the committee.
Deputies reviewed the agenda of the sixteenth session of the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation to adapt it to the new political realities. This decision is related to the need to accelerate the adoption of laws that are of strategic importance for the country, especially in wartime conditions.
Context: War and Preparation for Winter
Against the backdrop of intensified Russian terror, the government held emergency meetings with representatives of Ukrainian business to find new effective solutions. The Cabinet of Ministers has already completed an audit of the implementation of resilience plans in the regions to form a complete picture of Ukraine's readiness to get through the winter in the face of constant enemy attacks. Special attention during the inspection was paid to the situation in Kyiv.
Digital infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring the country's resilience. The Ministry of Digital Transformation must ensure the uninterrupted operation of electronic services, communication systems, and data protection, which is especially important in the context of the energy crisis and cyberattacks.
