Viktor Dubovyk failed to secure the support of international observers in the competition for the post of head of ARMA
This was reported by Transparency International Ukraine.
According to TI Ukraine, the selection committee voted twice on Viktor Dubovyk’s candidacy. On both occasions, four committee members supported him, whilst two others voted against. However, this proved insufficient to reach a decision within the ARMA chair selection procedure.
The key provision was a clause in the law stipulating that a decision by the selection committee is deemed adopted only when at least four members vote in favour, including no fewer than two representatives appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers on the basis of proposals from development partners. It was precisely this condition, as TI Ukraine argues, that the candidate failed to meet.
By the time of the final vote, Viktor Dubovyk was effectively the sole remaining candidate. Back on 25 March, TI Ukraine reported that he was one of 13 candidates to have passed the minimum threshold in the cognitive abilities test – 107 points out of 145. Following this, the competition continued with just one candidate.
TI Ukraine also notes that Viktor Dubovyk heads the Directorate for Legal Policy at the Office of the President. After passing the tests, he was required to complete a practical task, an integrity assessment, a special vetting process and an interview. It was during the interview stage, according to the organisation’s assessment, that questions arose regarding the candidate’s integrity and professional readiness to lead ARMA amidst the agency’s ongoing reform.
Andriy Borovyk, Executive Director of TI Ukraine, stated that society and international partners expect the head of ARMA to have an impeccable reputation, political neutrality and a clear operational strategy. In his view, without these elements, it is impossible to build trust in a body that manages assets worth billions. In the comments under Viktor Dubovyk’s post, several MPs publicly supported him. In particular, MPs Maksym Buzhanskyi and Denys Maslov spoke out in his defence.
Following the unsuccessful vote, the commission concluded its work for the day, with further steps to be announced at a later date. TI Ukraine believes that, given the lack of legal support for Dubovyk’s candidacy, it would be logical for the commission to announce a new competition. However, no formal decision on a new selection process has been announced as of yet.
As reported by ThePublic, Danylo Getmantsev, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, stated that the head of the Economic Security Bureau, Oleksandr Tsivinskyi, should be not only politically independent but also professional and results-oriented. However, the parliamentary committee currently sees no positive changes in the Economic Security Bureau.
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