How Ukraine’s parliament evolved from a Soviet-era council into a modern democratic legislature

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s unicameral parliament, traces its roots back to the Soviet Supreme Council of 1938. Yet, it has undergone a radical transformation, shedding its communist origins to become the sole legislative authority of an independent nation, navigating revolutions, constitutional shifts, and the pressures of ongoing war.

The institution of the Rada, meaning council, predates the Soviet era, with historical roots in the councils of Kievan Rus' and the decision-making assemblies of the 17th-century Zaporozhian Cossacks. However, the modern parliament emerged from the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR, first established on 26 June 1938. For decades, this body functioned under Communist Party control, only beginning to shift during the partially free elections of 4 March 1990. It was this 12th convocation that issued the Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1990 and ultimately declared Ukrainian independence on 24 August 1991.

Following independence, the body underwent significant structural changes. The Constitution of 1996 solidified its role as the sole legislative power, responsible for everything from budget approval to presidential impeachment. The parliament’s composition and electoral methods have fluctuated, moving between proportional representation and mixed systems. While the constitutional requirement for a functioning parliament is at least 300 deputies, the current composition is 424, reflecting the impact of the Russian occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas, which prevented elections in those constituencies during 2014 and 2019.

The Rada’s internal dynamics have also evolved. The practice of switching factions, once common and derided as 'tushky' or 'carcasses,' was curtailed by the return of imperative mandate provisions in 2014, allowing parties to withdraw mandates from defecting members. Furthermore, the institution has seen a slow but steady increase in female representation, rising from 8.5% in 2010 to 21% following the 2019 elections. Despite security challenges—including a three-year ban on live broadcasts following the 2022 invasion—the Rada remains the central stage for Ukrainian political life, housed in a neo-classical building designed by Volodymyr Zabolotny in 1936.

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