Recently, actions aimed at removing Andriy Vitrenko from the position of head of the budget committee have intensified in the Kyiv City Council. According to journalists, the main driving force behind these processes is the pro-presidential faction “UDAR,” which seeks to strengthen its influence over one of the key committees of the city council.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Political Majority and Conflicts in the Kyiv City Council
Currently, the majority in the Kyiv City Council consists of deputies from the “UDAR,” “European Solidarity” factions, and representatives who previously belonged to the Opposition Platform — For Life (OPZZH). Joint decisions and voting results indicate their unity on key issues.
However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Andriy Vitrenko is openly in opposition to the city mayor Vitaliy Klitschko and the pro-presidential majority. This has led to active pressure on him from a part of the deputy corps.
Accusations and Vitrenko’s Reaction
On May 16, Andriy Vitrenko was accused of refusing to sign a decision to amend the Kyiv budget for 2025. Additionally, he is accused of delaying the budget committee meeting and ineffective management of the committee’s work.
Vitrenko himself believes that these accusations are merely a pretext for his dismissal, as he remains “inconvenient” for the current authorities in Kyiv.
Andriy Vitrenko is convinced that this entire story with the petition for his resignation and statements from Kyiv City Council deputies is a way to remove him from office, as he is “inconvenient” for the Kyiv authorities.
Journalists emphasize that as an opposition figure, Vitrenko has repeatedly opposed initiatives from “UDAR” that he deemed questionable, submitting deputy appeals for the dismissal or removal of individuals associated with Klitschko’s team who were involved in corruption cases or scandals. The main danger of changing the head of the budget committee lies in the fact that, with the majority in the Kyiv City Council intact, Klitschko could appoint a loyal candidate to this position, which would significantly affect the distribution of finances in the city.
More details regarding the situation surrounding Andriy Vitrenko and the budget committee of the Kyiv City Council are available in a special video investigation.