Ukrainian Parliament Blocks Denys Shmyhal's Appointment as Energy Minister

(Patria) - Ukrainian MPs today did not approve the appointment of outgoing Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal to the position of Energy Minister.

This is a rare instance of criticism directed at President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is attempting to reorganize key sectors at a critical juncture of the war with Russia.

Zelensky tasked Shmyhal, who served as Prime Minister for five years before being moved to the Ministry of Defense last year, to lead the energy sector, which is shaken by corruption allegations and Russian attacks on infrastructure.

The last permanent Energy Minister was dismissed from her post last year due to a corruption scandal involving her predecessor.

Shmyhal's appointment required 226 parliamentary votes. 210 voted in favor, while MPs from three opposition parties abstained.

Shmyhal was proposed for the position as part of a broad government reconstruction, at a time when Kyiv is facing increasing Russian pressure in the war, which enters its fifth year next month.