Association of Amalgamated Hromadas, that unites more than 400 local self-government bodies representing the interests of about 3.5 million citizens of Ukraine, addressed an open letter to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Today, politicians and experts are actively discussing the expediency of early termination of the powers of all local councils and appointment of early local elections. Amalgamated hromadas, AH Association members, are convinced that at the present stage of hromadas’ development holding early local elections threatens to stop the local self-government reform and the decentralisation process,” the letter reads.

The Association reminded that at present administrative and territorial structure of the country is unbalanced: part of the territory of the state is covered by AHs, and part is not.

“Today's level of trust to the President of Ukraine and the newly elected Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine gives a unique chance to submit the necessary laws for MPs’ consideration and pass them in the shortest possible time. The most important task of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is to enshrine the provisions on decentralisation of state power in Ukraine and strengthen the constitutional the legal status of local self-government in the Constitution of Ukraine, which is the only way to guarantee the irreversibility of successful completion of the reform, and, accordingly, the formation of an effective organization of authorities on the ground”, the letter reads.

The Association of Amalgamated Hromadas also expressed readiness for dialogue and cooperation in the drafting of bills that will contribute to the completion of the local self-government reform and the decentralisation process for the benefit of the Ukrainian citizens.

The full version is available in Ukrainian – please click HERE