On the new format of relations between the “Center” and newly established territorial communities

Abstract

The article provides a brief analysis of the decentralization of power reform in Ukraine, examines its risks and prospects, and summarizes international experience in implementing decentralization reforms. It has been established that priority should be given to addressing problems associated with corruption in local government, as well as to the need to harmonize legislative acts within a unified and systematic approach. The stages of decentralization reform have been examined, noting that the process had not been fully completed before the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion and required the adoption of a number of important legislative and political decisions, as well as the implementation of relevant measures. Attempts to introduce the institution of prefects and establish systematic administrative oversight of the legality of decisions adopted by local self-government bodies after 2019 have been analyzed, along with the problems and risks posed by the influence of military administrations established in 2022 on the development of a democratic society. The achievements of Ukraine’s social development in the contemporary global environment have been outlined, together with the problems and challenges requiring urgent generalization and resolution. Taking into account international experience of decentralized governance at the national and regional levels, a number of objective and subjective problems characteristic of Ukraine at the present stage, under martial law, and during the post-war period have been identified. An examination of the current state of the decentralization process in Ukraine demonstrates that a significant number of important problems have remained outside the adequate attention of the political establishment and public administration bodies. Therefore, the successful implementation of public administration and decentralization reforms in Ukraine requires clearly defining the limits of the President’s influence and abandoning the practice of centralized ad hoc control, which does not contribute to constructive cooperation between central and local authorities. The negative consequences of the personalization of power should serve as an important warning for Ukraine’s further development. At the same time, the imposition of martial law limits the possibilities for implementing all necessary decisions, in particular by preventing the initiation of amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the results of the work carried out and currently underway will have a direct impact on the future development of the state. Keywords: decentralization, local self-government, local authorities, territorial communities, international experience of decentralization.