In a rapid turn of events, 43 individuals have submitted applications to lead Ukraine’s State Tax Service following the recent dismissal of its top officials. Among the candidates is former Member of Parliament Mykola Katerynchuk, who has previously served three terms.
The announcement of the competition for the position came just days after the Cabinet of Ministers removed the previous heads of the tax and customs services, Serhiy Verlanov and Maksym Nefedov, on April 24. The government initiated the application process on April 25, giving candidates a tight window to prepare their submissions.
According to Kateryna Butko, a coordinator for the PROSUD project, six candidates expressed interest on the first day alone. This group includes former tax officials from the Yanukovych era, seasoned politicians with significant wealth, and several lesser-known individuals.
Oleg Nemchinov, the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, confirmed the high number of applicants, stating, “The government made its decision on Friday, and the announcement appeared on the Cabinet’s website on Saturday. The application period spanned just two days, yet we received 43 submissions for this critical role.” Interviews with candidates are scheduled to begin on April 28, with no formal competition or testing procedures in place.
Among the notable candidates is Vasyl Poizd, a current employee of the State Fiscal Service, who is also vying for the deputy head position. Poizd gained notoriety in 2012 when he led a controversial tax raid on the online retailer Rozetka, which was accused of tax evasion. He later faced scrutiny during a 2017 competition he organized, which led to investigations by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Kyiv Prosecutor’s Office, although those inquiries did not yield results.
Another candidate, Herman Andes, has a long history in the fiscal service and is also applying for the deputy head role. He held a significant position during the Yanukovych administration and has declared substantial assets, including over 15 hectares of land in Kyiv and a large loan secured against these properties.
Mykola Katerynchuk, who served as a parliamentarian in the early 2000s, boasts considerable real estate holdings, including a luxury apartment in Kyiv valued at over 27 million UAH. His wealth has raised questions about his suitability for the role.
Elizaveta Roshuorova, another candidate, has reported no income for herself or her family members in 2019, prompting speculation about undisclosed earnings. Dmitro Oleksienko, who has held various advisory roles in fiscal matters, and Dmitro Ivanov, a business owner from Chernihiv, are also in contention for the top position.
The swift transition in leadership and the influx of applicants reflect the ongoing challenges within Ukraine’s tax administration, as the government seeks to stabilize and reform the sector.
A total of 43 candidates, including former MPs and seasoned tax officials, have applied to lead Ukraine's State Tax Service after recent leadership changes. The rapid application process highlights the urgency for reform within the agency.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda