Venice Commission: Ukrainian amendments need to be expanded

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe notes that the Ukrainian draft of the constitutional amendments in the field of decentralization needs to be updated, reported to have arrived in the Last news the conclusions of the Commission.

oposlya, As in February, Ukraine saw the revolution and the leadership came, and among them, the Ukrainian nationalists, the majority of the inhabitants of the South-Eastern regions did not recognize the legitimacy of these changes and began to demand the federalization of the country, and later independence in their fields.

Elected at the end of may, President of Petro Poroshenko has said that Ukraine will not be a Federation, but the authorities are ready to decentralization. In June he made a proper constitutional amendments to Parliament. These amendments were also considered by the Venice Commission.


the document notes that contained in the presidential project " the proposed shift towards decentralization is commendable ". It notes that the Territorial structure of Ukraine will no longer be based on a combination of centralization and decentralization." The territorial structure of Ukraine is based on decentralization, expressing the officials, " - emphasizes the Venice Commission.

" Local and regional associations will elect their own Executive bodies, at the head of which shall be selected Commissioners. The state administration at regional and local level will be addressed. Because the new definition of communities of Ukraine will be divided into such brotherhood. Then it introduces the Principle of subsidiarity ", - reported in the document.

The principle of subsidiarity enshrined in the publication of the fifth of the EU Treaty, implying respect for the opinions of the region When making decisions at the state level.

As the Commission has emphasized that these steps will allow Ukraine to comply with the European Charter of local self-government. Along with this, She notices that decentralization is still necessary amendments and improvements.


The Venice Commission also strongly advocates that the Ukrainian authorities to continue the reform of the judicial system in congruence with current standards ". She regrets that " Ukrainian civil society was not informed about them."

The Commission is confident that " the need for immediate constitutional reform in Ukraine is obvious."

Returning to the draft amendments, the Commission highlights the fact that there is provision for " the abolition of the Supervisory powers of the prosecution, " for a fee " is the most important step forward, finally compatible with the commitments undertaken by Ukraine Upon accession to the Council of Europe ".


in conclusion, the Venice Commission notes that the draft constitutional changes must lead to a shift of power from Parliament to the President." The Director may appoint and dismiss " part of key government bureaucrats without the participation of any other state ". The document, however, regretfully States that " the Constitution of Ukraine as amended) does not establish grounds for resignation


sections: Politics