All hromada leaders who have long been hesitating to amalgamate lost in terms of economy and politics.

This was informed by Vyacheslav Nehoda, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, during a meeting with the heads of amalgamated hromadas of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.

"In a few months, the Central Election Commission is likely to make the final decision on the first elections in amalgamated hromadas. Then the next local elections will follow in October 2020, which will be held on a new territorial basis of hromadas and rayons. Consequently, hromadas have very little time to voluntarily benefit from decentralisation – amalgamate or access an existing AH. The year before the next election will be used by amalgamated hromadas to show voters their effectiveness. And non-amalgamated hromada will again spend efforts, time and resources to justify their inaction. But people understand everything perfectly and will give their assessment to the local government by their votes. Those who did not introduce changes will disappear from local politics,” said Vyacheslav Nehoda.

He also noted that not only infrastructure and services, but also the psychology of residents, changed in AHs. For the first time, people believe in local leaders, they have realised that it is not the state government that should solve the local problems, but hromadas themselves.

"Thanks to AHs’ success, people will react calmply to even an administrative decision on amalgamation," believes the First Deputy Minister.

He also noted that in order to create a capable basic level of local self-government many issues still need to be resolved and hundreds of laws should be amended.

“Today we have discussed some of your concerns. We see that many powers are not yet fully delimited, thus you are not yet able to effectively address all local issues. But together with you, we will bring the start to the end. Your voice and experience are already so visible that they help the regional and central authorities to improve legislation and promote the reform in general,” said Vyacheslav Nehoda.

The First Deputy Minister also visited the Ivano-Frankivsk Local Government Development Centre, which, in his opinion, should continue to be the leader of progressive ideas and the main assistant to hromadas in the oblast.