PARTICIPATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE FORMATION OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES: POLITICAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND EXPEDIENCY OF THEIR UPDATING

Abstract

The modernization of the local self-government system in Ukraine in the context of the decentralization reform objectifies and actualizes the need to study the role and participation of civil society institutions in this process. The current Ukrainian legislation assigns a significant role to political parties that contribute to the formation and expression of the political will of citizens and participate in elections. The purpose of the article is to analyze the political and legal framework for the participation of political parties in the formation of representative bodies and elected officials of local self-government. The author analyzes the provisions, norms and regulations of the Constitution of Ukraine and current legislative acts regulating the mechanism of participation of political parties in the formation of local self-government bodies. The author emphasizes the political aspects of the formation of the legal framework and the peculiarities of its implementation during local elections under the proportional electoral system. For this purpose, the author uses the comparative legal method and methods of political science research, which made it possible to highlight the peculiarities of political parties’ activities in the formation of the local self-government system and to outline the prospects for updating its political and legal framework. The activities of political parties are analyzed through the prism of their effectiveness in the context of decentralization reform and local elections. The author characterizes the peculiarities of legal regulation of the activities of local party branches under martial law. The author expresses views on the legal grounds and political expediency of updating the legal regulation of political parties’ activities. The author emphasizes the expediency of critical borrowing of the experience of foreign countries, primarily the European Union member states.