Iryna Herashchenko

Biography

Iryna Herashchenko is a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the VI–IX convocations. She was a member of the “Our Ukraine – People’s Self-Defence” (2007–2012), UDAR (2012–2014), and Petro Poroshenko Bloc (2014–2019) factions. In 2019, she was elected from the “European Solidarity” party (No. 3 on the list) and joined the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation. She is a co-chair of the “European Solidarity” faction.

Thanks to her political connections, Iryna Herashchenko was able to transition from a journalist to the political establishment, obtaining positions as press secretary, head of factions, and parliamentary committees, and entering the top tier of national politics. Her alliance with former presidents Viktor Yushchenko and Petro Poroshenko and the leadership of key parties gave her access to influential decisions and increased her authority and independence, which made her an influential player in parliament.

In general, Iryna Herashchenko’s political activity is often accompanied by sharp conflicts, especially in relations with deputies from the “Servant of the People” party. She publicly defends her positions, sometimes in a sharp form, which causes resonance in the media and parliament. A significant part of the scandals can be seen as a manifestation of political struggle or ideological differences.

Herashchenko unconditionally supports the leader of the ES, against whom the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is investigating two cases. Petro Poroshenko has been charged in two key cases: the first is related to corruption during the purchase of an oil product pipeline through the mediation of Viktor Medvedchuk, which was subsequently returned to state ownership; the second concerns the purchase of coal from areas controlled by the “DPR/LPR,” which is qualified as high treason and support for separatists. Both cases are the main corruption accusations against him.

Timeline of Key Events

2025

Despite the fact that NABU and SAPO are conducting cases against Poroshenko, she voted against the bill that restricted the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and strengthened the powers of the Prosecutor General (#12414). In the opinion of a number of civic organisations, the law posed a direct threat to the independence of NABU—one of the key anti-corruption bodies.

Also supported the bill on restoring the openness of parliamentary committees (#11321).

In the same year, she abstained during the vote for the controversial bill by Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, which abolished the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013). This law carries risks for national security.

2024

Supported the law on banning the activities of religious organisations whose governing centre is located in Russia, in particular the ROC (#8371).

In the same year, she abstained from voting for the bill on simplifying the procedure for changing the intended purpose of land from agricultural to industrial (#9627), which, according to expert estimates, contains significant corruption risks.

2023

Did not participate in the vote for the “On the Legalisation of Medical Cannabis” bill, which allowed the production of medical cannabis in Ukraine. This project was advocated by “Patients of Ukraine.”

In the same year, she supported the decolonisation bill (#7253), which prohibits the propaganda of Russia’s imperial policy and decolonises local names.

2022

Did not support the bill on urban planning “reform” (#5655), which was criticised by the media and the civic sector, and the European Parliament warned the president against signing it.

Supported the bill on the liquidation of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv (#5369), the so-called “Vovk court.” Did not participate in the vote for the project on banning pro-Russian parties (#7172-1).

2019

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine on the list of the “European Solidarity” party (No. 3). Joined the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation. Co-chair of the “European Solidarity” faction. When the People’s Deputy compared MPs to the “little green men” who occupied Crimea, the majority in the profile committee supported the proposal to remove Herashchenko from 5 council meetings.

In the same year, she joined the presidium and central political council of the “European Solidarity” party.

Iryna Herashchenko’s deputy card voted during a plenary session while she was in Odesa. This was reported by the CHESNO Movement. In the same year, she abstained from voting for the bill on ensuring personal voting by People’s Deputies of Ukraine (on the criminalisation of button-pushing, #2148).

2017

Journalists from “Schemes” found that Herashchenko, along with other representatives of Ukraine in the negotiations in Minsk, flew to meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group on a charter flight on a plane that belonged to oligarch Viktor Pinchuk, and not on a state flight.

2016

Elected as the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, becoming the first woman in this position.

2014

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc (No. 9 on the list). She was the Head of the Committee on European Integration, and subsequently the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Was a member of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE.

In the same year, she was appointed as the President’s Commissioner for the peaceful settlement of the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

2012

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the UDAR party (No. 6 on the list). She was the First Deputy Head of the Committee on European Integration.

2007

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the “Our Ukraine – People’s Self-Defence” bloc (No. 19 on the list). She was the head of the subcommittee on information support for integration processes of the Committee on European Integration.

2006

Appointed as president of the UNIAN news agency.

2002-2006

Was the press secretary for People’s Deputy, and subsequently President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko.

2000

After the kidnapping and murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze, she filmed a report on the “Inter” TV channel stating that he had been seen in Lviv after his disappearance.

1998-2001

Worked as a correspondent, and subsequently headed the politics department editorial office in the news service of the “Inter” TV channel.

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