After the election, an effort was made to remove those unaffiliated with the Kyiv Seven from the party. Vasyl Onopenko, leader of the party, was removed after saying that the party's leaning on the FC Dynamo Kyiv brand and party list candidates were mistakes. Next was Yevhen Marchuk, former Prime Minister of Ukraine, who sought to become President of Ukraine. Medvedchuk, meanwhile, rose through the ranks of the party and the Verkhovna Rada, being elected as president of SDPU(o) in October 1998 and later as deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada in February 2000.
