Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, suggests studying the Experience of Local Authorities Organization in Bern (Switzerland)
On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met mayor of Bern Alexander Tschäppät.
V.Lytvyn expressed his interest in the organization of local authorities, when the public takes part in the community governance and state administration. "We experimented with different systems of authorities organization, but we see that your organization of life is quite interesting." he stated.
Mr Alexander Tschäppät informed that issues of foreign policy and defense are settled on the supreme level, while the communities and cantons tackle their matters by themselves. He believes that ‘Switzerland has too much democracy, so it sometimes takes longer to implement resolutions.´ Mayor of Bern informed that Bern is on the UNESCO cultural heritage list, so protection of historical monuments is a priority.
According to Mr A.Tschäppät, most houses in Bern have a long-lasting history, so their owners receive specific regulations about restoration works, etc. The owners restore their houses by themselves. "It is most pleasant to live in the historical center of Bern," the mayor stated, surprised that modern glass hotels have been constructed in the center of Kyiv.
Asked about the procedure of referendum, the mayor responded that communities are regularly voting for something: "Every Sunday we vote for some issues." "There is no election fraud, and most people vote by mail," he stressed. "The government system in Switzerland allows citizens to take active part in the community life. The majority is always right, while the minority has the right to propose initiatives." Owing to such rules, there are no regular winners or losers.
The following members of the parliamentary delegation also attended the meeting: Valerii Konovaliuk, Head of the Deputy Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Inter-Parliamentary Liaison with the Swiss Confederation, Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Public Health; Oleh Zarubinskyi, Deputy Head of the Deputy Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Inter-Parliamentary Liaison with the Swiss Confederation, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations; Serhii Mishchenko, Deputy Head of the Deputy Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Inter-Parliamentary Liaison with the Swiss Confederation, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Judicial Policy; Kateryna Lukianova, member of the Deputy Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Inter-Parliamentary Liaison with the Swiss Confederation, Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Family Matters, Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism; Vasyl Shlapak, member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Budget.