DECENTRALIZATION OF POWER UNDER CONDITIONS OF WAR: CHALLENGES FOR DEMOCRATIC LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ON THE EXAMPLE OF KHARKIV REGION
Abstract
The article analyzes impact of a full-scale war on the implementation of the decentralization reform. The decentralization reform, which began in 2014, was initially implemented against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but during 2022-2024 the general vector of the reform changed significantly. The article considers latest studies, expert discussions, and key arguments of opposing sides regarding the feasibility of decentralization in wartime. Changes in the balance of power and control over budgetary financial resources are analyzed. It is revealed how the introduction of the institution of military administrations (in particular, military administrations of settlements, which replace the powers of local councils) contributed to the weakening of the political influence of local governments. The lack of clear criteria for the introduction of military administrations of settlements is noted, which opens up the possibility of politically biased abuses of pressure on local government from the presidential vertical. The dynamics of state and local budget revenues during 2021-2024 were analyzed. It was shown how the share of local budgets in the consolidated budget of Ukraine is decreasing. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of consolidated budget revenues of all regions of Ukraine for 2021-2024 was also conducted. Different trajectories of budget dynamics of «frontline» and «rear» regions were demonstrated, which necessitates a change in state regional policy. Based on the study of institutional changes in the balance of power and budget dynamics, conclusions about the trends of «recentralization» are argued –strengthening the presidential vertical and reducing the political independence of local self-government.
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