Young lawyer becomes new prime minister of Ukraine

The vote came after President Volodymyr Zelensky nominated Oleksiy Goncharuk, a lawyer who is in charge of economic issues in his administration, as prime minister. With the support of a majority of lawmakers, Goncharuk became the youngest prime minister in Ukraine's history.

Before starting work for the Zelensky administration in May, Goncharuk headed an EU-funded consulting firm aimed at improving the business environment in Ukraine.

Speaking in parliament before lawmakers voted, Goncharuk pledged to end the country's corruption.

Goncharuk is a low-profile figure in Ukraine due to his lack of media exposure. A source in the president's office said he prefers to "do his job quietly."

In its first session today, the newly formed parliament, which is dominated by members of President Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, appointed ministers, the prosecutor general and the head of the state security service (SBU). The parliament also voted on a bill proposed by the president to change the constitution to reduce the number of deputies. Only two ministers from the outgoing government were retained: Finance Minister Oksana Markarova and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

Zelensky, 41, a comedian with no political experience, was elected president of Ukraine in April. During his campaign, Zelensky pledged to end the conflict with separatists in the east, fight corruption and reform the economy of Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe.