On Sunday, October 25, Ukrainians went to the polls to elect mayors and representatives of municipal councils. Under normal circumstances, local elections would have passed more or less unnoticed by international observers, but the voting did not take place in the occupied territories, including Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk 'republics' - these are not ordinary times. Therefore, approximately 1500 international observers joined over 3000 local observers to monitor the local elections.
With decentralization on the agenda, these elections are especially important, experts reflect. Decentralization, which requires amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine, must pass through the Ukrainian parliament. The first reading of the amendment was approved by a two-thirds majority vote on September 1. These reforms would provide local governments with extensive control over their jurisdiction, including the budget.
Decentralization has become a contentious issue in Ukraine, primarily because this point is enshrined in the ceasefire agreement. Expanding local self-government, according to experts, is crucial for curbing corruption, which allowed the government of former President Viktor Yanukovych to steal billions of dollars from the state budget.
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Many international organizations, as well as European and American agencies, consider decentralization one of their priorities for 2016. Foreign organizations are expected to invest significant funds in programs supporting decentralization, which will bring the government closer to the people and pave the way for increased accountability at the local level.
However, at the same time, local self-government and increased accountability may sound like important goals that everyone should support.
In regions where new leaders and reformers are involved in local self-government, decentralization is likely to lead to increased transparency in society.
Unfortunately, this ideal scenario does not represent reality in many Ukrainian cities and villages, especially in the eastern regions, where the same old officials from the Party of Regions have now transformed into the 'Opposition Bloc,' experts note. For example, in Dnipropetrovsk, the opposition candidate received almost 30 percent of the votes, according to exit polls. The candidate from this party for the mayor's position, Oleksandr Vilkul, received 32 percent of the votes, losing to the 'Ukrop' representative, Borys Filatov, who received 41.6 percent.
Experts believe it is very important for international organizations and Ukrainian civil groups to focus their efforts on increasing civic and political activity in these areas, particularly in the eastern regions. Experienced activists and non-governmental organizations should provide support and training to emerging community groups. In turn, international aid agencies with programs outside of Kyiv should identify and support regional efforts to raise awareness among local activists and citizens. This type of coordination can empower citizens to change their leaders if they do not see positive change.
After several years in a highly centralized governmental structure, many Ukrainians view politics as something that happens in distant Kyiv and does not directly affect their daily lives. Changing this mindset is a complex task, and it will not happen overnight. But if there has ever been a time for change in Ukraine, it is now: when ordinary citizens, Ukrainian community groups, and international organizations are eager to overcome the Soviet legacy and eradicate corruption in Ukraine, resulting in power returning to the people to whom it rightfully belongs.