All representatives of local self-government remain legitimate even after five years in office.

This was claimed by Vitalii Bezgin, MP, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative and Territorial Structure and Local Self-Government of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organisation of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning.

‘This is a consensus position following consultations between members of parliamentary factions and groups, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, and all-Ukrainian associations, moderated by the Council of Europe within the framework of the High-Level Dialogue,’ he said.

Vitalii Bezgin also stated that the Verkhovna Rada will soon register and adopt a relevant resolution to signal their political support for the continued sustainable functioning of regional, district and basic-level local councils.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Slobozhan, Executive Director of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, commented:

‘The five-year term is defined for the Verkhovna Rada, which, in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, is responsible for appointing regular local elections. The expiration of the five-year term does not automatically imply the end of the term of office or the holding of elections, but rather forms the basis for a corresponding decision by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.’

He also added that the risk to local self-government does not lie in completing the five-year term, but rather in local council members resigning due to the Government Resolution No. 69 ban on travelling abroad, the lack of a quorum at meetings due to the mobilisation of local councillors, and the introduction of military administrations alongside existing local councils.