Parliamentary republic in Ukraine: prospects and obstacles

Abstract

The scope of this paper concentrates on the possibility of optimizing the system of state power in Ukraine in order to overcome power dualism. It is proved that the existing parliamentary-presidential model is the cause of competition and conflicts between the presidential and parliamentary-government centers of power. The contradictions between them can be eliminated if the president, prime minister and parliamentary majority belong to the same political force. However, a reliable guarantee of the stability of power can only be the removal of the objective premises of rivalry. Such prerequisites are, first of all, the conflict of legitimacy (both parliament and the president are elected in general elections) and the possibility of double influence on the executive vertical. At the same time, the political culture of Ukrainian society, public opinion is relevant and the crisis situation in the state necessitates not only a strong and consolidated, but also a highly personified power. Consequently, the Chancellor's Republic is the most acceptable for Ukraine of democratic parliamentary forms of government. It is characterized primarily by the special constitutional status of the head of government and the executive branch (prime minister) as the leader of the political force that won the parliamentary elections. When the general election of the head of state is canceled, the prime minister actually combines presidential and parliamentary legitimacy. By single-handedly leading the executive branch of the government, such a “strong” prime minister will make impossible the situation of power dualism. However, the transition to chancellor rule, in addition to the relevant constitutional amendments, will also require reform of the electoral law and the party system. In any case, the main goal of transforming the system of power in Ukraine should be the elimination of managerial dualism while ensuring a clear system of checks and balances in the spirit of European standards of democracy.