Viktor Baloha

Biography

Viktor Baloha is a People’s Deputy of the 4th (2002—2005), 7th, 8th, and 9th convocations. In 2019, he was elected in the Zakarpattia region as a representative of the “Yedyni Tsentr” (United Centre) party (district #69). Until 2023, he was a member of the “Za Maybutnye” (For the Future) parliamentary group, after which he became an independent MP. He is a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organisation of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning.

The politician has served in both the government and the presidential vertical of power. During the presidency of Leonid Kuchma, he headed the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration (1999–2001), a position to which he returned in 2005 under President Viktor Yushchenko. He was subsequently appointed Minister of Emergencies (2005–2006) and later became the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (2006–2009). During Viktor Yanukovych’s term, he once again headed the Ministry of Emergencies (2010–2012).

Timeline of Key Events

2025

Supported the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft Law 12089), which provided for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands if ten years had passed since they entered private ownership. Despite a petition gathering over 25,000 signatures demanding a veto, the President signed the document. The first victim of the law was the case concerning Protasiiv Yar.

2023

Supported the “Medical Cannabis Legalization” bill, which allowed the production of medical cannabis in Ukraine for the rehabilitation of wounded military personnel, including for the treatment of PTSD.

2022

Did not vote for the urban planning “reform” (#5655), authored by the head of the “Servant of the People” party, Olena Shulyak. The initiative was widely criticised by the civil sector and media, and Chatham House (UK) warned that the rules created a risk of construction cartels forming. The European Parliament and the European Commission also expressed critical reservations.

2020

Viktor Baloha ceased to head the “Yedyni Tsentr” party, which was renamed “Andrii Baloha’s Team” that same year. His eldest son, Andrii Baloha, who was elected Mayor of Mukachevo (Zakarpattia region) that year, became the new party leader. Additionally, the “Andrii Baloha’s Team” NGO was created, with Viktor Baloha’s second son, Pavlo Baloha, becoming its director and co-founder.

2019

Elected to the Verkhovna Rada representing the “Yedyni Tsentr” party (district #69). In the region where he has been known to voters for decades, he managed to win by a relatively narrow margin—fewer than 1,000 votes.

2018

Along with 36 other MPs, he voted against the Law on Recognition of Ukrainian Sovereignty over the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

2014

Won the parliamentary elections as an independent candidate in the Zakarpattia region (district #69).

2012

As a representative of the “Yedyni Tsentr” party, he announced that the party would participate in parliamentary elections by fielding candidates in single-mandate districts. That year, Baloha, while serving as Minister of Emergencies, became a People’s Deputy and joined the Committee on European Integration.

2010

Became one of the leaders of the “Yedyni Tsentr” party. Was successfully elected as a deputy to the Zakarpattia Regional Council from “Yedyni Tsentr.” During these local elections, the party had an ambitious goal of achieving political leadership in the region to ensure Baloha’s continued influence on central policy. He was re-appointed Minister of Emergencies.

2009

Resigned as Head of the Presidential Secretariat. At the time, “Radio Svoboda,” citing political commentators, reported that Baloha would most likely join the “Yedyni Tsentr” political force, which would cooperate with the “Party of Regions” faction.

2008

During a meeting with representatives of the “Our Ukraine” faction, President Viktor Yushchenko stated that they should strictly follow the advice of the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Viktor Baloha. “Baloha is me,” Yushchenko stated directly. MPs received this statement critically. That same year, Baloha left the presidential “Our Ukraine” party. He argued that his departure would “remove the question of the correlation between the functions of the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and as a member of the ‘Our Ukraine’ presidium. All speculation regarding my role in internal party processes will be ended.” A few months later, he joined the “Yedyni Tsentr” party.

2006

Headed the political council of the “Our Ukraine” party. His candidacy was proposed by then-President Viktor Yushchenko, who was present at the congress, though the candidacy did not pass on the first attempt. That same year, Yushchenko appointed Baloha as Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

2005

Resigned early as a People’s Deputy; he was first appointed as head of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration and later headed the Ministry of Emergencies.

2004

Served as an authorised representative of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko in the Zakarpattia region while running for Mayor of Mukachevo himself. According to exit polls, Viktor Baloha, supported by the “Our Ukraine” bloc, won the mayoral election by a significant margin. However, sociologists claimed that results were falsified in favour of Baloha’s opponent, Ernest Nuser, who was supported by the political force headed by Viktor Medvedchuk—the SDPU(o). The Mukachevo elections went down in history as the most non-transparent, and those who participated in the falsifications were prosecuted.

2002

Won both the mayoral election in Mukachevo and the parliamentary elections simultaneously. He chose to enter parliament, where he joined the “Our Ukraine” faction and became a close associate of Yushchenko.

2001

Resigned as head of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration in solidarity following the dismissal of Viktor Yushchenko from the post of Prime Minister.

1998

Won the mayoral election in Mukachevo. A year earlier, he had introduced Viktor Medvedchuk—who was an advisor to Leonid Kuchma at the time—to big politics. Baloha himself has repeatedly admitted that Medvedchuk was his biggest mistake. That year, Baloha headed the political headquarters of the SDPU(o) party, and the party received one-fifth of the vote in the Zakarpattia region.

1997

Joined the SDPU(o) party.

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