Verkhovna Rada lacks the votes to vote for the ban of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is still unable to gather the necessary number of MPs’ votes to put the bill No 8371 aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to a vote in the second reading. It is reported that only MPs from the European Solidarity and Golos parties signed up in full. The list of those who did not sign in favor of banning the UOC is published by the LB.ua news and analysis website.

“LB.ua has obtained a list of those who refused to put signatures. It includes 146 MPs, in particular those who are currently under investigation, such as Nestor Shufrych. Among those who did not support it, about 90 MPs are from the Servants of the People. From “Batkivshchyna” did not support two. From the “Platform for Life and Peace” (former OPZZH) supported only one MP – Yuriy Zagorodnyi. Representatives of the European Solidarity and Golos factions signed in full in support of the bill “On Amending Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine” (No. 8371),” – the newspaper said.

In addition, according to LB.ua, there are now 221 signatures “in favor”. It is expected that after the National Prayer Breakfast (scheduled for this Saturday, July 29 – ed.), about seven protesters from different parliamentary groups may join them.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk told under what condition the bill № 8371, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, will be brought to the session hall for voting. Stefanchuk said that 240 signatures of MPs should be collected for this purpose.