Constitutional changes on decentralization remain topical, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.
“The process of reforming of local self-government and decentralization is certainly far from completion, as well as the constitutional changes that I and the Prime Minister [Volodymyr Groysman] have developed. And I insist on their relevance, the changes on decentralization,” Poroshenko said at an expanded government meeting on decentralization in Vinnytsia on April 5.
The president noted that prefects are needed, since “in some localities the new financial opportunities rush into local official’s heads, some are starting to think of themselves as royalties, as if there is no power over them.”
According to the head of state, Ukraine’s legislation should clearly outline the procedure for dissolving local councils.
“This is also necessary, because not so long ago some irresponsible local councils, or rather politicians, tried to launch something like a ‘parade of sovereignties’,” Poroshenko said.
He criticized the initiative of some regional councils concerning agreements on the distribution of powers with the Ukrainian government.
“This will never happen. I won’t allow it. Who will play into sovereignty will receive an absolutely clear answer: Today they demand agreements, tomorrow they will sell Ukraine. There is a clear distribution of powers among the authorities…,” the head of state said.
He also stressed that the distribution of powers is established not by “the so-called agreements”, but by laws and the Constitution of Ukraine.
