Parliament Approves Law on Distribution of Powers Between Levels of Public Governance

In a pivotal move for Ukraine's governance framework, the Verkhovna Rada, the country's parliament, has approved the foundational government bill No. 14412 aimed at delineating and distributing powers among various levels of local self-government and executive authorities. The bill received overwhelming support, with 269 members of parliament casting their votes in favor, reflecting a strong consensus on the importance of this legislative initiative.

Oлена Шуляк, the head of the Parliamentary Committee on State Governance, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning, emphasized that the passage of this bill is a key component of the Ukraine Facility program. She highlighted that its adoption paves the way for further financial support from the European Union under this program. The proposed legislation is designed to implement the principles of subsidiarity and decentralization, which are crucial for the effective functioning of local self-government.

Among the core provisions of the bill is the establishment of key principles for the delineation and distribution of powers across different levels of public governance. This includes the state, regional, and local levels, as well as the entities involved in the distribution of these powers. Furthermore, the bill stipulates criteria for assigning powers to the appropriate level of government and outlines the process for delegating state powers to local self-government bodies.

Another important aspect of the legislation is the mechanisms for coordination and interaction between different levels of government, which will facilitate more effective collaboration between state authorities and local communities. Шуляк underscored that to successfully execute these powers, adequate financial, human, and informational resources are necessary.

She also pointed out that the work on the bill was conducted in a broad format within the framework of a relevant working group. This approach ensured that various stakeholders were engaged in the process, allowing for a consideration of diverse opinions and proposals. Шуляк noted that the decentralization reform has been ongoing for several years, providing communities with numerous new opportunities. However, alongside these advancements, systemic challenges have emerged that require addressing.

The Committee Chair further remarked that issues concerning rights and obligations, resources and powers, local democracy, and the balance between different levels of government, as well as the principle of subsidiarity and the real capabilities of communities, still lack a clear legislative framework. She emphasized that European integration raises the standards for the quality of decisions and the coherence of the entire public governance system. Therefore, according to Шуляк, the Committee will continue to work collaboratively with the government and international partners to overcome these challenges.