Honcharenko expelled from European Solidarity faction: details of split after 12 years of cooperation

Formal end of political alliance

On 14 October, in the plenary hall of the Verkhovna Rada, the official expulsion of People's Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko from the European Solidarity parliamentary faction was announced. The politician himself reported this on his Telegram channel, thanking colleagues for 12 years of joint activity and noting that he would continue to work for the benefit of Ukraine.

This decision put an end to a long-standing political alliance between Honcharenko and Petro Poroshenko's team. Despite the split, the MP retains his mandate, as he was elected in a majoritarian constituency, and will now work outside the faction of his former associates.

Causes of conflict and party position

The faction decision preceding the expulsion was published on 5 October. European Solidarity explained that Oleksiy Honcharenko's views on ending the war and forming Ukraine's future security system had significantly diverged from the ideological foundations of the political force. At the same time, the party emphasised that this step does not negate years of joint work.

People's Deputy Iryna Fryz stated that the initiator of the proposal to part ways was Petro Poroshenko, and faction members supported this decision unanimously. She also added that the specific content of Honcharenko's ideas was not presented to colleagues in advance: the faction learned about them from a publication.

Discussion around peace initiatives

The key factor that triggered the discussion was the MP's vision of ways to stop the war. Oleksiy Honcharenko proposed gradually concluding separate agreements with Russia, starting with a cessation of strikes on infrastructure and ensuring the safety of shipping.

Among his other ideas were the phased easing of sanctions against Russian energy resources after the fulfilment of agreements, discussion of Ukraine's neutral status, and the involvement of international guarantors. The MP himself denied that his proposals meant capitulation.

Politician's reaction and status in parliament

After the decision was announced, Honcharenko stated that he did not intend to "burn bridges" with former colleagues, despite acknowledging fundamental differences. Later, in an interview, he admitted that the expulsion was a surprise, a challenge, and a certain blow for him.

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed that the parliamentary mandate remains with Oleksiy Honcharenko. At the same time, Stefanchuk noted that the issue of Honcharenko's further representation in the composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) requires separate discussion.