II. Comments on the test of the law

B. Provisions on changing the Constitution through a referendum

For introducing changes to Titles I, III and XIII the procedure also involves both the President and the Rada. The way it is initiated is similar, although now it requires two-thirds majority of Members of Parliament; and has to be presented also to the Verkhovna Rada:

Article 156. “A draft law on making amendments to Title I General Principles, Title III Elections, Referendum, and Title XIII Making Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine shall be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by the President of Ukraine, or by not less than two-thirds of the constitutional membership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine…”.

The decision is taken in two successive votes: the first, with a qualified majority of two-thirds in the Parliament; the second, by the people through referendum called by the President.

Article 156. “… provided that it is adopted by at least two-thirds of the constitutional members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, be approved by an All-Ukrainian referendum called by the President of Ukraine”.