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Kyiv's early March 2018: gas crisis and anti-corruption court
Summary
A look back at two decisions in Ukraine's politics in the first days of March 2018, on energy emergency planning and a new court.
What was Kyiv dealing with on 7 March 2018? Two decisions taken in the days before that date framed the political agenda: a short-term energy emergency plan and a first vote on a new anti-corruption court.
On 1 March 2018, the Verkhovna Rada passed in first reading a draft law on the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine. A first reading is only the opening stage of the legislative process, so the bill still had further votes ahead of it.
On 2 March 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced a national action plan for five days, designed to prevent an energy crisis after Russia's Gazprom refused to supply gas. The measures included switching generating companies from gas to fuel oil and suspending the work of educational institutions.
The two decisions came within a day of each other. One was a long-term institutional step still moving through parliament; the other was an emergency measure with a fixed five-day horizon. Together they show the government and parliament handling a legislative priority and an acute supply problem at the same time.
