Sources close to former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko have denied reports that she has been appointed head of state energy company NJSC Naftogaz. The sources told LIGA.net that any decision to name a new leader can only be taken by the state company's supervisory board. They did not answer whether Svyrydenko's candidacy is currently under consideration for the position.
European Solidarity MP Oleksiy Honcharenko had previously written that Svyrydenko was already appointed to the role. Before his statement, news outlet Ekonomichna Pravda reported that the former prime minister could head Naftogaz. The publication claimed the board plans to add Svyrydenko to the executive board before making her acting head, with a selection contest expected closer to spring that she would likely win.
Naftogaz supervisory board appointments
On the same day, Oleksiy Sobolev was elected to the NJSC Naftogaz supervisory board as a third state representative. Sobolev served as economy minister in Svyrydenko's government and recently became deputy head of the Office of the President for economic issues. His election filled the final vacant seat on the board, which comprises four independent directors and three state representatives.
A source in the Office of the President previously told LIGA.net that Svyrydenko was also offered the role of ambassador to the United States, but she turned it down for personal reasons. Svyrydenko's successor as prime minister, Koretskyi, headed Naftogaz prior to his government appointment. On August 10, Koretskyi said the Cabinet of Ministers is reviewing projected electricity and gas balances under different winter scenarios.
