Draft Resolution No. 14031 has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. It is designed to confirm the legitimacy and continuity of local government functioning under martial law.

Vitalii Bezgin, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Subcommittee on Local Self-Government and Administrative-Territorial Structure, said that the document was the product of consensus between parliamentary factions and groups. The Council of Europe facilitated this process, providing a platform for developing a common vision on one of the key issues of the current stage of public administration.

‘We all understand that it is practically impossible to hold elections in accordance with the law and European standards during wartime. However, this does not mean that communities, districts or regions are left without authority. On the contrary, we confirm the legitimacy of all elected councils and heads at every level. These councils and heads continue to work, make decisions, keep the system running, and ensure the functioning of territories – from the smallest village to the regional centre. This decision is about stability and trust. It sends a clear message that no aggressor will be able to disrupt the work of Ukrainian self-government,’ commented Vitalii Bezgin.

Reasons why this is important

With the outbreak of full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, it became impossible to hold local elections in accordance with constitutional principles and European electoral standards. This was primarily due to the absence of security guarantees for those involved in the electoral process.

At the same time, local self-government plays a critical role in ensuring community functioning, organising defence, and supporting the population. This is why the Parliament intends to confirm that the legitimacy of councils and heads elected in the last local elections will be preserved until new elections are held after martial law is lifted.

Main provisions of the Resolution

• the continuity of the functioning of representative local governments and the legitimacy of their powers are confirmed;
• the impossibility of organising democratic local elections during wartime is recognised;
• it emphasises that responsibility for disrupting the electoral process lies with the aggressor state, the Russian Federation;
• it guarantees that new elections will be held after the end of martial law in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine;
• it guarantees that new elections will be held after the end of martial law in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine.

European background

Ukraine has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995, committing itself to upholding European democratic standards. The adoption of Resolution No. 14031 aligns with the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the practices employed to safeguard the continuity of power during times of crisis.

Thus, the document regulates not only the legal aspects of local self-government in wartime, but also demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to democratic principles, even in the most challenging of circumstances.