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{{use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
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{{Infobox constitution
|document_name = Constitution of Ukraine
|image = Конституція України, прийнята на п’ятій сесії Верховної Ради України (оригінал) титульна сторінка.jpg
|title_orig = Конституція України
|orig_lang_code = uk
|jurisdiction = Ukraine
|date_created = 28 June 1996
|system = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential republic]]
|branches = 3
|head_of_state = [[President of Ukraine|President]]
|chambers = [[Unicameral]] ([[Verkhovna Rada]])
|executive = [[Government of Ukraine|Cabinet of Ministers]]
|courts = [[Supreme Court of Ukraine|Supreme Court]]<br>[[Constitutional Court of Ukraine|Constitutional Court]]<br>and [[Judiciary of Ukraine|others]]
|date_legislature     = [[1998 Ukrainian parliamentary election|12 May 1998]]
|supersedes = [[Constitutions of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic#1978 Constitution of the UkrSSR|1978 Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR]]
|wikisource = Constitution of Ukraine
|footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | title=Constitution of Ukraine | website=rm.coe.int - [[Council of Europe]] | date=1996-06-28 | url=https://rm.coe.int/constitution-of-ukraine/168071f58b | access-date=2024-10-21}}</ref>
}}
{{Other uses}}{{Politics of Ukraine}}
The '''Constitution of Ukraine''' ({{langx|uk|Конституція України|translit=Konstytutsiia Ukrainy}}, {{IPA|uk|konstɪˈtuts⁽ʲ⁾ijɐ ʊkrɐˈjinɪ|pron}}) is the [[constitution|fundamental law]] of [[Ukraine]]. The constitution was adopted and ratified at the 5th session of the ''[[Verkhovna Rada]]'', the parliament of [[Ukraine]], on 28 June 1996.<ref name="UNIANCD28616"/> The constitution was passed with 315 ayes out of 450 votes possible (300 ayes minimum).<ref name="UNIANCD28616">[http://www.unian.info/society/1389415-ukraine-celebrating-20th-anniversary-of-constitution.html Ukraine celebrating 20th anniversary of Constitution], [[UNIAN]] (28 June 2016)</ref> All other laws and other normative legal acts of Ukraine must conform to the constitution. The right to amend the constitution through a special legislative procedure is vested exclusively in the parliament. The only body that may interpret the constitution and determine whether legislation conforms to it is the [[Constitutional Court of Ukraine]]. Since 1996, the [[public holiday]] [[Constitution Day (Ukraine)|Constitution Day]] is celebrated on 28 June.<ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=38117 Yulia Tymoshenko Goes On Trial A Day Before Constitution Day], [[Eurasia Daily Monitor]] (30 July 2011)</ref><ref name="UW29121996">[http://www.ukrweekly.com/old/archive/1996/529606.shtml 1996: THE YEAR IN REVIEW] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190426/http://www.ukrweekly.com/old/archive/1996/529606.shtml |date=3 March 2016 }}, [[The Ukrainian Weekly]] (29 December 1996)</ref>

In 2004, amendments were adopted that significantly changed Ukraine's political system; these changes are sometimes referred to as the 2004 Constitution. In 2010, then-[[President of Ukraine]] [[Viktor Yanukovych]] reverted these changes on the basis of a ruling made by the [[Constitutional Court of Ukraine]]. Following the events of [[Euromaidan]] (2013–2014), the 2004 amendments were reinstated.

==History==

Until 8 June 1995, Ukraine's supreme law was the [[Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR|Constitution]] (Fundamental Law) of the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] (adopted in 1978, with numerous later amendments). On 8 June 1995, President [[Leonid Kuchma]] and Speaker [[Oleksandr Moroz]] (acting on behalf of the parliament) signed the Constitutional Agreement for the period until a new constitution could be drafted.

The first constitution since independence was adopted during an overnight parliamentary session after almost 24 hours of debate of 27–28 June 1996, unofficially known as "the constitutional night of 1996." The Law No. 254/96-BP ratifying the constitution, nullifying previous constitutions and the Agreement was ceremonially signed and promulgated in mid-July 1996. According to a ruling of the [[Constitutional Court of Ukraine]], the constitution took force at the moment when the results of the parliamentary vote were announced on 28 June 1996 at approx. 9 a.m. [[Kyiv]] Time. Ukraine was the last of the [[post-Soviet states]] to adopt its own constitution.<ref name="UNIANCD28616"/> On Constitution Day 2018, President [[Petro Poroshenko]] remarked that the 1710 [[Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk]] is the predecessor of Ukraine's current constitution.<ref>[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/514896.html Ukraine's leaders congratulate Ukrainians on Constitution Day], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (28 June 2018)</ref>

In February 2019 the constitution was amended to require governments to seek [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] membership.

==Structure==
The [[s:Constitution of Ukraine|Constitution of Ukraine]] is divided into 15 chapters:

# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter I: General Principles|General Principles]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter II: Human and Citizens' Rights, Freedoms and Duties|Human and Citizens' Rights, Freedoms and Duties]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter III: Elections. Referendum|Elections. Referendums]]
#[[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter IV: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine|Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter V: President of Ukraine|President of Ukraine]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter VI: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Other Bodies of Executive Power|Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Other Bodies of Executive Power]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter VII: Prosecutors Office|Prokuratura (Prosecutor's Office)]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter VIII: Justice|Justice]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter IX: Territorial Structure of Ukraine|Territorial Structure of Ukraine]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter X: Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Autonomous Republic of Crimea]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter XI: Local Self-Government|Local Self-Government]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter XII: Constitutional Court of Ukraine|Constitutional Court of Ukraine]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter XIII: Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine|Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter XIV: Final Provisions|Final Provisions]]
# [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter XV: Transitional Provisions|Transitional Provisions]]

==Amendments==
In accordance with [[s:Constitution of Ukraine#Chapter XIII: Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine|Chapter XIII: Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine]], the constitution can only be amended with the consent of no less than two-thirds of the constitutional composition (the 450 [[People's Deputy of Ukraine|Ukrainian lawmakers]]) of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.<ref>[https://www.unian.info/m/society/10168736-ukraine-marks-constitution-day-on-june-28.html Ukraine marks Constitution Day on June 28], [[UNIAN]] (28 June 2018)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/96010/ BYT not to vote for prolonging term of parliament, president], [[Kyiv Post]] (31 January 2011)</ref> In addition, amendments to Chapter I — "General Principles," Chapter III — "Elections. Referendum", and Chapter XIII — "Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine" can only be amended by the parliament of Ukraine on the condition that it is also approved by an All-Ukrainian referendum designated by the President of Ukraine. In May 2012, [[Ukrainian President|President]] [[Viktor Yanukovych]] set up the [[Constitutional Assembly of Ukraine]]; a special auxiliary agency under the President for drawing up bills of amendments to the Constitution, the president then will introduce them in parliament.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/klitschko-udar-wont-join-work-of-constitutional-assembly-317307.html Klitschko:UDAR won't join work of Constitutional Assembly], [[Kyiv Post]] (7 December 2012)</ref>

===2004 and 2010 amendments and 2014 return to 2004 amendments===
{{details|Imperative mandate (provision in the Constitution of Ukraine)}}
On 8 December 2004, the parliament passed Law No. 2222-IV amending the constitution.<ref>{{Cite Ukrainian law|type=Verkhovna Rada decree|number=2222-IV|law=2222-15|name=About the amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine|date=2004-12-08}}</ref> The law was approved with a 90 percent majority (402 voted in favour and 21 against, with 19 abstentions; 300 in favour required for passage) simultaneously with other legislative measures aimed at resolving the [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election|2004 presidential election crisis]]. It was signed almost immediately in the parliamentary chamber by the outgoing President [[Leonid Kuchma]] and promulgated on the same day. These amendments weakened the power of the [[President of Ukraine]], who lost the power to nominate the [[Prime Minister of Ukraine]], which became the task of the parliament solely. The President could only appoint the [[Minister of Defence of Ukraine|Minister of Defence]] and [[Foreign Minister of Ukraine|Foreign Minister]]. The President also lost the right to dismiss members of the [[Cabinet of Ukraine]], but gained the right to dissolve Parliament.<ref name="HPCEE">[https://books.google.com/books?id=hmtuqFnuDZwC&dq=Constitution+of+Ukraine+2004&pg=PA732 The Handbook of Political Change in Eastern Europe], [[Edward Elgar Publishing]], 2013, {{ISBN|0857935372}} (page 732)</ref> If no coalition in parliament could be formed to appoint a Prime Minister, the President would have no choice but to call new [[Parliamentary elections in Ukraine|parliamentary elections]].<ref name=JT26306/> The 2004 constitutional amendments were passed in the Parliament only with limited consultation and discussion between political forces, in the context of the [[Orange Revolution]]. They therefore attracted criticism from several internal (Ukrainian political parties) and external bodies (the [[Council of Europe]], the [[European Parliament]] and the [[Venice Commission]]).<ref name="EUObs">[http://euobserver.com/7/30970 EUObserver], 16 October 2010</ref>

The amendments took force unconditionally on 1 January 2006.<ref name="JT26306">[http://courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Soviet/Ukraine/060329elect3.txt ELECTION DEFEAT A COLD SHOWER FOR YUSHCHENKO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305084720/http://courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Soviet/Ukraine/060329elect3.txt |date=2016-03-05 }}, [[The Jamestown Foundation]] (29 March 2006)</ref> The remaining{{clarify|date=February 2024}} amendments took force on 25 May 2006, when the new parliament assembled after the [[2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election|2006 elections]]. On 1 October 2010, the [[Constitutional Court of Ukraine]] overturned the 2004 amendments, considering them unconstitutional.<ref>Summary to the Decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine No. 20-rp/2010 dated 30 September 2010 {{cite web |url=http://www.ccu.gov.ua/doccatalog/document?id=122826 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326012947/http://www.ccu.gov.ua/doccatalog/document?id=122826 |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/84619/ Update: Return to 1996 Constitution strengthens president, raises legal questions], [[Kyiv Post]] (1 October 2010)</ref> The Court had started to consider the case on the political reform in 2004 under a motion from 252 [[First Azarov government|coalition]] lawmakers regarding the constitutionality of this reform of 14 July 2010.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/84452/ Constitutional Court to issue ruling on 2004 political reform on Friday], [[Kyiv Post]] (30 September 2010)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/79746/ Political analysts: Cancelation of 2004 political reform may deepen split in Ukraine], [[Kyiv Post]] (25 August 2010)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/84478/ Ukraine court to rule on wider presidential powers], [[Kyiv Post]] (30 September 2010)</ref> The 2010 nullification decision was highly controversial. The Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner received several reports alleging that the resignation of four judges in the run-up to the decision occurred as a result of extensive pressure by the executive.<ref>[http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/inline_images/98.pdf "Freedom House Report on the State of Democracy and Human Rights in Ukraine". Freedom House. April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2022.</ref> On 18 November 2010, the [[Venice Commission]] published its report titled ''The Opinion of the Constitutional Situation in Ukraine in Review of the Judgement of Ukraine's Constitutional Court'', in which it stated: "It also considers highly unusual that far-reaching constitutional amendments, including the change of the political system of the country – from a parliamentary system to a parliamentary presidential one – are declared unconstitutional by a decision of the Constitutional Court after a period of 6 years. ... As Constitutional Courts are bound by the Constitution and do not stand above it, such decisions raise important questions of democratic legitimacy and the rule of law".<ref>[http://www.venice.coe.int/WebForms/documents/?pdf=CDL-AD(2010)044-e "Opinion on the Constitutional Situation in Ukraine"]. Venice Commission. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2022.</ref>

On 21 February 2014, the parliament passed a law that reinstated the 8 December 2004 amendments of the constitution. This was passed under a simplified procedure, without any decision of {{Cl-span|the relevant committee|date=September 2023}}, and was passed in the first and the second reading in one vote by 386 deputies. The law was approved by 140 MPs of the [[Party of Regions]], 89 MPs of [[Batkivshchyna]], 40 MPs of [[UDAR]], 32 of the [[Communist Party of Ukraine|Communist Party]], and 50 independent lawmakers.<ref name="bt2004UCIU21214">[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/191727.html Ukrainian parliament reinstates 2004 Constitution], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (21 February 2014)</ref> According to [[Radio Free Europe]], the measure was not signed by the then-President [[Viktor Yanukovych]], who was subsequently removed from office.<ref name="RadioFreeEurope">{{cite web|last=Sindelar |first=Daisy |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/was-yanukovychs-ouster-constitutional/25274346.html |title=Was Yanukovych's Ouster Constitutional? |publisher=Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty (Rferl.org) |date=23 February 2014 |access-date=25 February 2014 |quote=Yanukovych, however, failed to sign the measure.}}</ref> The reinstatement of these amendments was adopted according to the 2014 [[Agreement on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine]]. This was followed shortly thereafter by the [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]] and the [[2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine]].

===2019 amendments===
On 7 February 2019, the [[Verkhovna Rada]] voted 334 to 17 to amend the constitution to state Ukraine's strategic objectives as joining the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10437570-ukraine-s-parliament-backs-changes-to-constitution-confirming-ukraine-s-path-toward-eu-nato.html|title=Ukraine's parliament backs changes to Constitution confirming Ukraine's path toward EU, NATO|website=www.unian.info|language=en|access-date=2019-02-07}}</ref>

== See also ==
=== Former constitutions ===
* [[Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk]] (1710)
* [[Constitution of the People's Republic of Ukraine]] (1918)
* [[Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR#Constitution of 1919|First Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR]] (1919)
** Amendments of 1925
* [[Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR#Constitution of 1929|Second Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR]] (1929)
* [[Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR#Constitution of 1937|Third Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR]] (1937)
* [[Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR#1978 Constitution of the UkrSSR|Fourth Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR]] (1978)
* [[Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] (1998)

=== Others ===
* [[Constitutional economics]]
* [[Constitutionalism]]
* [[Rule according to higher law]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal | doi = 10.2478/v10076-012-0002-2| title = Towards Presidential Rule in Ukraine: Hybrid Regime Dynamics Under Semi-Presidentialism| journal = Baltic Journal of Law & Politics| volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 20–45| year = 2012| last1 = Sedelius | first1 = T.| last2 = Berglund | first2 = S.| doi-access = free}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Constitutions of Ukraine}}
{{Wikisource}}
* {{cite web |title=Конституція України |url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/constitution#Text |website=Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України |language=uk}}
* English translation of Constitution: [http://www.ccu.gov.ua/sites/default/files/constitution_2019_eng.doc .doc file download from Constitutional Court of Ukraine site] or [https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/254%D0%BA/96-%D0%B2%D1%80#Text webpage on parliament site]
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=2222%2D15 Amendments (Law No. 2222-IV)] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=888%2D09 Constitution of 1978 (with amendments)] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=888-09&ed=19780420 Constitution of 1978 (original)] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=1%EA%2F95%2D%E2%F0 Constitutional Agreement of 1995] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=55%2D12 Declaration on the State Sovereignty of 16 July 1990] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=1427%2D12 Independence Act of 24 August 1991] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://gska2.rada.gov.ua/site/const/index.html Constitutional process in Ukraine (including historical legal documents and the chronicles of adoption of the Constitution of 1996)] — site of the parliament {{in lang|uk}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061127211741/http://www.venice.coe.int/site/dynamics/N_Country_ef.asp?C=47&L=E Venice Commission - Ukraine] Council of Europe {{in lang|uk}}

{{Ukraine topics}}
{{constitutions of Ukraine}}
{{Constitution of Europe}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Constitution Of Ukraine}}
[[Category:Constitution of Ukraine| ]]
[[Category:Government of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Law of Ukraine]]
[[Category:1996 in law]]
[[Category:1996 in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Euromaidan]]
[[Category:Ukrainian presidential inaugurations]]
[[Category:June 1996 in Europe]]