The  IX session of the Verkhovna Rada has opened. We expect the Parliament to promptly solve the issue of local elections in consolidated communities (CCs) which is now blocked by the Central Election Commission, as well as to consider draft laws on decentralization. This was stated by Vice-Prime Minister/ Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko.

According to the Vice Prime Minister, the most important draft laws aimed to step up  decentralization are the following:  Draft law No. 8051 “On the Principles of the Administrative and Territorial Order of Ukraine” (defines the fundamental principles of the administrative and territorial order of Ukraine as well as procedures for the establishment, liquidation, setting and changing the border of administrative-territorial units); Draft law No. 7118 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Management of Land Resources on the Territory of CCs”; Draft law No. 6403 “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On the Regulation of Urban Development” (stipulates for introduction of a single documentations  on spatial planning for CCs and expansion of powers to regulate urban development).

"I thank MPs for cooperation during the last plenary session. I count on further fruitful cooperation in the areas of decentralization reforms, energy efficiency and municipal housing as well as construction. We will also appeal to the line Verkhovna Rada Committee on Construction, Urban Development, Housing and Communal Services to assess the situation regarding the attempts to block the enactment of new state building codes",  Hennadii Zubko underscored.

At present, 123 consolidated communities are waiting for the decision of the  Central Election Commission on holding elections of  local mayors and local council members. It is nearly 1 million 21 thousand residents. Also, local elections are still pending for 318 thousand residents of 55 communities  which joined 37 already established CCs.