Zelensky signs impeachment law
KYIV. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on the special procedure for removing the president of Ukraine from power (impeachment).
According to a report posted on the parliament website, the bill was "returned with the signature of the president."
On September 10, the Verkhovna Rada adopted as a whole a presidential bill according to which the parliament can remove the president of Ukraine from office by impeachment only if he commits treason or another crime.
When a motion of impeachment is included in the agenda, the Verkhovna Rada creates a special temporary investigative commission to look into the fact and circumstances of the president's treason or other crime.
After the Verkhovna Rada decides to impeach the president, the parliament must appeal to the Constitutional and Supreme Courts. "If the Constitutional and Supreme Courts confirm the constitutionality of the investigative and impeachment procedures and signs of treason or another crime committed by the Ukrainian president, the Verkhovna Rada [...] decides to remove the Ukrainian president from office as a result of impeachment [...] The relevant resolution passes provided that at least three quarters of a constitutional majority of Verkhovna Rada deputies vote for it," the bill's text says.
If the impeachment resolution does not pass, the Verkhovna Rada chairman will apologize to the president on the parliament's behalf.