LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN UKRAINE
Ukraine is a unitary state composed of municipalities, districts, regions and the autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Local level: 456 municipalities, 886 settlements and 10,281 villages
Municipal authorities
The village, town of city council (rada) is the decision-making body composed of members elected by the residents for a five-year term. It monitors the work of the executive committees and appoints their members.
The executive committees are appointed by the council. They act under the council's control as well as under the control of state executive authorities in the field of delegated competencies.
The village, town or city head is the chief official of the territorial community. (S)he is elected by the residents for five years, and heads the council and its executive committees.
Competences
. Social welfare
. Health care
. Technical infrastructure maintenance
. Education (from preschool to upper secondary)
. Culture
. Tourism
. Urban planning
. Energy
. Transport
. Water, heating and sewage
. Waste management
. Environment
. Promotion of local commerce and employment
Regional level: 490 districts (raions), 24 regions (oblasti) and 1 autonomous republic (Crimea)
The regional level in Ukraine is organised in two levels: the districts (raions) and the regions (oblasti).
District authorities
The district council is the decision-making body. The district councils do not have executive bodies. Executive functions on these levels are performed by district and regional state administrations created by the national government.
On the resident's initiative, self-organisation bodies are formed after the relevant council's permission. They receive a part of the council's responsibilities, finances and property.
Regional authorities
The regional council is the legislative body. Most of its members are elected at the direct universal suffrage, others come from the president's list. The council elects the president within its ranks. It can present bills to the national parliament.
The executive committee is the executive body. It is made of the president and the regional councillors. The councillors are designated by the council or the president. They have a five-year mandate.
The president is elected at the direct universal suffrage for five years. He heads the executive committee and the council. He can designate members of the executive committee.
Competences
. International relations with other regions and with the EU
. International trade
. Health
. Urban planning
. Transport
. Production and delivery of energy
. Agriculture
Note: The cities of Kiev and Sebastopol have “oblast” (regional) statute.
