Матеріал до уроку "The State Structure of Ukraine"

The State Structure of Ukraine

Ukraine is a sovereign state with its own territory, government, and legislative and executive bodies. From 1922 to  1991, Ukraine formed a part of  the former USSR. The Independence of Ukraine was proclaimed on August 24, 1991 and approved by a nation-wide referendum on the 1^st of December, 1991. The everlasting dream of the Ukrainian people came true. 90% of the people voted for Ukraine’s independence and since that time the Ukrainian people have become the masters of their own destiny. Ukraine is a free sovereign state. Today Ukraine is fighting in defence of its independence, in defence of the integrity of the Ukrainian state in the face of Russian aggression

On the 16th of July 1990 Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted  the “Declaration of the State Sovereignty of Ukraine”. The Declaration has ten parts devoted to the  self­determination of the Ukrainian nation, state power, citizenship, civil rights, economic  independence, cultural development, home and foreign policy.  According to this document three  levels of power are to be differentiated: the legislative, the executive and the judicial powers. By the  form of the governance Ukraine  combines the elements of parliamentary and presidential republic.  The president is the head of the state and also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A president  is elected by the people of the country at a general election for  a period of five years. According to Ukrainian law, a president must be at least 35 years old, have the right to vote, live in Ukraine for at least 10 years, be a citizen of Ukraine, and have full command of the Ukrainian state language.

Verkhovna Rada is the highest  legislative body of Ukraine. It  consists of one chamber only. It  includes 450 people’s deputies.  The laws of the country are made  by them. The chairman of the body is elected by all its members. The Chairman of the Parliament is called the Speaker.The Speaker conducts meetings of the Verkhovna Rada and organizes its work.

The Cabinet of Ministers is  the highest executive body of  our state. The Prime Minister  is elected by the Parliament.  He forms his cabinet himself.  However, every minister shall be  appointed by Verkhovna Rada.  The President and the Cabinet of  Ministers are responsible for the  implementation of laws adopted  by Verkhovna Rada.

The Supreme Court of  Ukraine is the supreme judicial body. The head of it is appointed by the Parliament  for 4 years. His main duty is  to secure the fulfilment of the  laws. Besides the Supreme Court  there is a special organ — Constitutional Court, the main aim of  which is to guarantee the accordance of the newly adopted laws  to the Constitution of Ukraine. It consists of 18 judges. The judges are elected by Verkhovna Rada for a period of  10 years.

The Constitution is the main law in the country. The new post-Soviet Constitution was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on June 28, 1996. It consists of 15 chapters dealing with the political, social and economic structure of the Ukrainian State.

Active Vocabluary

• sovereign ['sɔv(ə)rɪn] state – незалежна держава
• legislative ['leʤɪslətɪv] – законодавча влада; законодавчий орган
• executive [ɪg'zekjutɪv] – виконавча влада; виконавчий орган
• legislative and executive powers – законодавча та виконавча влада
• nationwide [ˌneɪʃ(ə)n'waɪd] referendum [ˌref(ə)'rendəm] – всенародний референдум
• the everlasting dream – довгождана мрія
• the masters of their own destiny – хазяїни власної долі
• integrity [ɪn'tegrətɪ] – цілісність
• integrity of state – цілісність держави
• territorial integrity – територіальна цілісність
• in the face (of smth.) – перед лицем (чогось)
• aggression [ə'greʃ(ə)n] – неспровокований напад, агресія
• adopt [ə'dɔpt] – приймати (закон, резолюцію тощо)
• “Declaration of the State Sovereignty of Ukraine” – Деклара́ція про́ державний сувереніте́т Украї́ни
• devote [dɪ'vəut] – присвячувати; відводити
• self-determination of the Ukrainian nation – самовизначення української нації
• state power – державна влада
• citizenship ['sɪtɪz(ə)nʃɪp] – громадянство
• civil rights – громадянські права
• cultural development – культурний розвиток
• home policy ['pɔlɪsɪ] – внутрішня політика
• foreign policy ['pɔlɪsɪ] – зовнішня політика
• according to – відповідно до, згідно з
• differentiate [ˌdɪf(ə)'ren(t)ʃɪeɪt] – відрізняти, розрізняти
• judicial [ʤuː'dɪʃ(ə)l] – судовий
• form of governance ['gʌv(ə)nən(t)s] – форма правління
• parliamentary and presidential republic – парламентсько-президентська республіка
• the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces – Верховний Головнокомандувач ЗСУ
• elect [ɪ'lekt] – обирати (голосуванням)
• election [ɪ'lekʃ(ə)n] – вибори
• citizen ['sɪtɪz(ə)n] – громадянин; громадянка
• has full command [kə'mɑːnd] of the Ukrainian state language – повністю володіє державною мовою
• legislative body – законодавчий орган
• chamber ['ʧeɪmbə] – палата
• deputy ['depjutɪ] – депутат
• chairman – голова
• conduct ['kɔndʌkt] – вести, керувати; проводити
• implementation [ˌɪmplɪmen'teɪʃ(ə)n] – здійснення, виконання, реалізація
• to secure the fulfilment of laws – забезпечувати виконання законів
• Supreme Court – Верховний Суд
• judge ['ʤʌʤ] – суддя
• legislative recess [rɪ'ses] – парламентські канікули
• to carry out / implement a policy – проводити політику
• judicial authority [ɔː'θɔrɪtɪ] – судовий орган
• judicial decision – судовий вирок
• Public Prosecutor ['prɔsɪkjuːtə] – державний обвинувач, прокурор
• prosecutor's office – прокуратура

Tasks

A. Match the vocabulary with definitions

1. sovereignty
2. legislative body
3. executive
4. Supreme Court
5. territorial integrity
6. nationwide referendum
7. civil rights
8. Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Definitions:
a) The right of citizens to freedom and equality under the law
b) The highest judicial authority in Ukraine
c) The head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
d) A nationwide vote to decide important issues
e) The independent authority of the state over its territory
f) A body that makes laws
g) The branch of government responsible for implementing laws
h) Protection of the borders and unity of the state

B. Complete the sentences

1. Ukraine declared independence on __________.
2. The Verkhovna Rada is the __________ of Ukraine.
3. The president is elected by the people for __________ years.
4. The Cabinet of Ministers is responsible for __________ of laws.
5. The Constitutional Court guarantees that laws comply with __________.

C. True / False

1. The Ukrainian Constitution was adopted in 1991.
2. The President must be at least 35 years old.
3. Verkhovna Rada has two chambers.
4. The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch.
5. The President is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Questions

1. When was the independence of Ukraine proclaimed?
2. How does the nationwide referendum of 1991 reflect the will of the Ukrainian people?  
3. Explain what “self-determination of the Ukrainian nation” means.                                            
4. What kind of state is Ukraine nowadays?
5. Who is the head of the state?
6. What three branches is the government divided into?
7. How is the President elected in Ukraine?
8. What are the main functions of the Verkhovna Rada?
9. What is the highest legislative body of Ukraine?
10. What is the supreme judicial body?
11. Why is it important for Ukraine to have three separate branches of government?
12. What challenges does Ukraine face in defending its independence today?

Key

A. Match the vocabulary with definitions

1. sovereignty – e) The independent authority of the state over its territory
2. legislative body – f) A body that makes laws
3. executive – g) The branch of government responsible for implementing laws
4. Supreme Court – b) The highest judicial authority in Ukraine
5. territorial integrity – h) Protection of the borders and unity of the state
6. nationwide referendum – d) A nationwide vote to decide important issues
7. civil rights – a) The right of citizens to freedom and equality under the law
8. Supreme Commander-in-Chief – c) The head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

B. Complete the sentences

1. Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991.
2. The Verkhovna Rada is the highest legislative body of Ukraine.
3. The president is elected by the people for five years.
4. The Cabinet of Ministers is responsible for the implementation of laws.
5. The Constitutional Court guarantees that laws comply with the Constitution of Ukraine.

C. True / False

1. The Ukrainian Constitution was adopted in 1991. – False (it was adopted in 1996)
2. The President must be at least 35 years old. – True
3. Verkhovna Rada has two chambers. – False (it has one chamber)
4. The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch. – True
5. The President is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. – True

Questions / Short answers

1. When was the independence of Ukraine proclaimed?
   – On August 24, 1991.
2. How does the nationwide referendum of 1991 reflect the will of the Ukrainian people?
   – 90% of citizens voted in favor of independence, showing that most people wanted Ukraine to be a sovereign state.
3. Explain what “self-determination of the Ukrainian nation” means.
   – It means that the Ukrainian people have the right to decide their own political status and govern themselves independently.
4. What kind of state is Ukraine nowadays?
   – Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic state.
5. Who is the head of the state?
   – The President of Ukraine.
6. What three branches is the government divided into?
   – Legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
7. How is the President elected in Ukraine?
   – By the people in a general election for five years.
8. What are the main functions of the Verkhovna Rada?
   – Making laws, approving the budget, electing certain officials, and overseeing the executive.
9. What is the highest legislative body of Ukraine?
   – The Verkhovna Rada.
10. What is the supreme judicial body?
    – The Supreme Court of Ukraine.
11. Explain what “self-determination of the Ukrainian nation” means.
    – It is the right of Ukrainians to decide their own political and state status.
12. Why is it important for Ukraine to have three separate branches of government?
    – To ensure checks and balances, prevent abuse of power, and maintain democracy.
13. What challenges does Ukraine face in defending its independence today?
    – Russian aggression, threats to territorial integrity, and the need to protect sovereignty and democracy.