Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has called on Marc Cools, President of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, to send a monitoring mission to Ukraine. The mayor’s office stated on Tuesday that European partners are receiving information about increasing pressures exerted by the central government on local self-government. This move comes amid ongoing concerns over the balance of power between the central government and regional authorities in Ukraine.
According to Klitschko’s office, the allegations of central government interference are not new, but the recent intensification of such pressure has raised alarms within the Ukrainian political landscape. The mayor emphasized the importance of maintaining the autonomy of local self-government, a principle enshrined in Ukraine’s constitution and widely supported by European institutions. The Council of Europe’s mission would be the first of its kind in Ukraine since the country joined the organization in 2017.
Responding to Klitschko’s appeal, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the need for a thorough and independent assessment. “We are committed to upholding the principles of local self-government and the rule of law,” Cools stated. The Council is expected to announce its decision on whether to send the mission in the coming weeks. The potential visit would not only serve as a symbolic gesture but could also lead to concrete recommendations aimed at strengthening the autonomy of local governments across Ukraine.