Controversial MP from the Opposition Platform — For Life party, Viktor Baransky, who fled Ukraine to escape justice, is no longer a member of the Odessa City Council.
This was announced at a city council meeting on April 24 by the secretary of the sessions, Igor Koval.
According to him, Baransky’s mandate was prematurely terminated in accordance with the norms of the Law of Ukraine «On the Status of Deputies of Local Councils» after President Volodymyr Zelensky deprived him of Ukrainian citizenship.
This case became the first in the history of the city council when a deputy lost his mandate not of his own accord. Earlier, several of Baransky’s party colleagues had already submitted voluntary resignations.
Currently, in accordance with the legislation, Baransky’s seat will remain vacant, as banned parties do not have the right to replace their deputies. This will not affect the work of the city council, as Baransky did not attend sessions and left Ukraine after the start of the war.
It is worth noting that after the elections to the Opposition Platform — For Life party in the Odessa City Council, there were 18 deputies. Currently, only 15 of them remain, and there are often less than 12 people present in the session hall.
