Listen to the text, read, translate and retell. On the 24th of August, 1991 Ukraine became an independent state

On the 24^th of August, 1991 Ukraine became an independent state. Nowadays Ukraine is a democratic state, ruled by the law and created as an implementation of the people’s sovereign right to self-determination.

The Constitution outlines the structure of the national government and specifies its powers and duties. Under the Constitution the powers of the government are divided into three branches − the legislative which consists of the Verkhovna Rada, the executive, headed by the President, and the judicial, which is led by the Supreme Court.

The parliament − the Verkhovna Rada is the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine. There are 450 people’s deputies (single-chamber national Parliament) who are elected for a term of four years on the basis of universal, equal suffrage by the secret ballot.

The Presidium of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine consists of the Head, his two deputies and heads of the 24 permanent commissions that encompass practically all spheres of state, economic, social and cultural life of the country. The Supreme Rada deputies represent the majority of political parties, social organizations and movements. They are involved in work in registered deputies’ groups (fractions) created on political, professional and other common bases.

Deputies of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine take part in the work of the Parliament Assembly of the European Council (PAEC).

The Verkhovna Rada’s main function is making laws. Law drafting work is performed by its Committees.

The Verkhovna Rada adopts the State Budget for the period from January 1 to December 31 and controls the execution of it. The monetary unit of Ukraine is the Hryvnia.

The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of it. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of five years with no more then two full terms. The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada. It carries out domestic and foreign policy of the State, the fulfillment of the Constitution, as well as the acts of the President, develops and fulfils national programs on the economic, scientific and technological, social and cultural development of Ukraine.

Justice in Ukraine is exercised entirely by courts. It is administered by the Constitutional Court and by courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Ukraine is the highest juridical body of general jurisdiction.

State power institutions in Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine

The Constitution of Ukraine designates the President as the Head of State, acting on its behalf. The President is a guarantor of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, adherence to the Constitution, human and civil rights and freedoms. The President is elected by the citizens of the state on the basis of equal and direct universal suffrage through secret vote. The term of presidential office is five years. Only a citizen of Ukraine, who was residing in Ukraine for ten years before the elections, has voting rights and speaks state language, may be elected President. President may hold his/her post no longer than two consecutive terms.