On the 24th of August, 1991 Ukraine became an independent state. On the 1-st of December the everlasting dream of the Ukrainian people came true. 90% of the people voted for the independence of Ukraine and since that time the Ukrainian people had become the masters of their own destiny. The Ukrainian political system has a popularly elected President, a 450-person single-chamber national Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada. The yellow and blue flag is hoisted over it. A Prime Minister is nominated by the President and is a subject to approval by the Verkhovna Rada. The Constitution has been modified by amultiparty system. The first President of the country became Leonid Kravchuk. In 1994 Ukrainian people elected a new President — Leonid Kuchma and deputies to the 450-member legislature. Voting, which is not compulsory, is by secret ballot and from the age of 18. The candidate rolling — the largest number of votes in a constituency is elected. Though Ukraine has a wealth of political parties, ranging from unreconstructed communities to far-right nationalities, personal and regional loyalties tend to play larger role in the Ukrainian political life than programmatic parties. A key challenge facing Ukraine is the establishment of effective, democratic governing institutions that strike a balance between executive and legislative authority. Ukraine is divided into 24 regions, each of which has an elected council whose Chairman (elected at large) also serves as head of the executive branch. The status of the autonomous Republic of Crimea is being redefined. In March 1995, the central government suspended the Crimean constitution following a year of political instability caused in past by attempts of local politicians to develop a foreign policy independent of Kyiv.
Word list
the everlasting dream — довгоочікувана мрія
the masters of their own destiny — господарі власної долі
single-chamber national Parliament — однопалатний національний
парламент
the state power — державна влада
to nominate — призначати на посаду
approval — схвалення, розгляд
to modify — видозмінювати
multi-party system — багатопартійна система
compulsory — обов'язковий, примусовий
by secret ballot — таємним голосуванням
constituency — виборчий округ, виборці
a wealth of — велика кількість
loyalty — вірність, лояльність
to tend — спрямовуватися, мати схильність
key challenge — ключовий виклик
establishment — установа
executive — виконавчий
legislative — законодавчий
council — рада
autonomous — автономний
to redefine — переглядати
to suspend — призупиняти
political instability — політична нестабільність
to cause — бути причиною
Answer the questions.
1. When did Ukraine become an independent state?
2. Since what time have the Ukrainian people become the masters of their own destiny?
3. What is the highest body of the state power in Ukraine?
4. How has the Constitution of Ukraine been modified?
5. Who was the first President of Ukraine?
6. Who is the President of Ukraine nowadays?
7. What is a key challenge facing Ukraine?
8. When did the central government suspend the Crimean Constitution? What were the reasons for doing it?
Exercise 15
Compare the system of government in Great Britain and Ukraine Discuss this topic including the following points.
The Head of State: appointment, functions and powers, relationship with other state bodies.
Legislature: composition, functions and powers, relationship with other state bodies.
The Executive: composition, functions and powers, relationship with other state bodies.
Exercise 16
Read, translate and retell the jokes.
LAUGH
1"Pa, what is a politician?" "Son, a politician is a human machine with a wagging tongue". "Then, what is a statesman?". "It is an ex-politician who has mastered the art of holding his tongue".
2 "Who, father, is that gentleman?" said the small boy, pointing to a man standing on the dais of the National House of Represtatives. "That, my son", said the father, "is the chaplain of the House". "Does he pray for the members?" asked the small boy. The father thought a minute and then said: "No, my son, when he goes into the House, he looks around and sees the members sitting there and then he prays for the country".
3 "What makes you think the baby is going to be a great politician?" asked the young mother anxiously. "I'll tell you", answered the young father contentedly; "he can say more things that sound well and mean nothing at all than any kid I ever saw".
4 A surgeon, an architect and a politician were arguing as to whose profession was the oldest. Said the surgeon: "Eve was made from Adam's rib, and that surely was a surgical operation". "Maybe", said the architect, "but prior to that, order was created out of chaos, and that was an architectural job". "But", interrupted the politician, "somebody created the chaos first!"
5 "I have decided", remarked Senator Blank, "to train my memory". "What system will you use?" "I don't know. I'm looking for one that will enable me, when I am interviewed to remember what to forget".
6 A western politician running for office was very much incensed at certain remarks which had been made about him by the leading paper of the town. He burst into the editorial room like a dynamite bomb, and exclaimed, "You are telling lies about me in your paper and you know it!" "You have no cause for complaint", said the editor coolly, "What in the world would you do if we told the truth about you?"
7 A candidate for Congress found himself in the course of canvasing the constituency in front of a house near which a number of children were playing. Intent on his business, the politician stopped to chat with the attractive young woman leaning upon the gate. "Madam, may I kiss these beautiful children?" the candidate inquired. "Certainly", replied the lady. When he had finished he remarked, "Seldom I have seen love-her children. Yours, madam?" The woman blushed deeply.
