IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN THE CONDITIONS OF MUNICIPAL REFORM IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the principles of local self-government, which form a single system, the elements of which are characterized by interpenetration and interaction. A scientific assessment of the legal consolidation of the constitutional principles of local self-government, which ensure its functioning as a local legal system. The development of local self-government requires the improvement of forms and methods of implementation of the principles of local self-government, their systematic reflection in normative legal acts and implementation in the practice of organization and activity of local self-government. This is especially important in the context of its reform. The prospects of legal consolidation of the principles of local self-government in the conditions of local self-government reform in 2014–2021 and the main ways of realization of the studied principles of local self-government are analyzed. Difficulties in carrying out reforms in the field of local self-government are largely due to the lack of a clear position of legislators to define the principles of its organization. Only by clearly defining the principles of local self-government and tracing their dynamics, it is possible to improve the current legislation, ensuring its internal unity and integrity with all the variety of specific forms of local self-government in the country. It is established that in the process of reforming local self-government it is necessary to create organizational, legal, political, economic, financial mechanisms to ensure real independence and responsibil ity of local self-government bodies, their effective activities in the interests of the population. It is emphasized that at the new stage of development of local self-government the principles of responsibility and legality, without which the independence of local self-government can turn into uncontrollability and permissiveness, come into conflict with the requirements of law and order. In the context of the reform, the effect of a number of principles, such as legality, legal responsibility, is significantly strengthened, there are significant changes in the legal consolidation of the principles that define the activities of local self-government as a social system. The article traces these changes and identifies ways to implement these principles in the course of local government reform in Ukraine.