01 December 2008, 13:23
1 December 2008
Mykola Tomenko: consensus concerning enhancement of importance of councils and elimination of local dual power has already been reached in Ukraine.
Today Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opened the council "Authorities, Tasks and Status of the Local Self-Government Bodies within the scope of Elaboration of Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine". He stated that at present the system of public authorities and local self-government bodies could be characterized as a system of disorder and irresponsibility, and, furthermore, local dual power.
At present, one can witness an absolute consensus concerning the necessity of powerful, responsible and clear system of regional authorities and local self-government. "If one studies all current Bills on amendments to the Constitution, one will see that they testify an absolute political consensus concerning dissolution of district administrations and delegation of local executive authority to the newly-established executive committees of regional and district councils", - stated the Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Moreover, it is possible to declare a relative political consensus concerning importance and function of representations or executive subdivisions of central authorities.
According to Mykola Tomenko, not only political, but also social consensus has been reached in Ukraine. Thus, sociological studies claim that citizens deem necessary to establish single and clear local authority, and retain a critical attitude towards preservation of dual power.
Mykola Tomenko has also critical attitude towards the change of the status of local authorities and self-government bodies by means of Bills. Therefore, he deems necessary to employ the following procedure for reforming regional authorities: not to adopt any amendments to the laws on the local self-government and local State administrations, until amendments to the Constitution are adopted. "At first it is necessary to define basic principle regulations in the Constitution, and then coordinate the legislative base", - supposses the Vice-Chairman.
Finally, Mykola Tomenko expressed his hopes that The Verkhovna Rada would scrutinize the issue concerning amendments to the Constitution in the part of the local self-government in the nearest time.