Local government

The system of local self-government at the level of individual villages, townships and towns comprises councils of deputies and their executive bodies, and heads (mayors) of the respective villages, townships and towns. Deputies to the councils and the local heads are elected by local residents for five-year terms of office (prior to the December 2004 constitutional reform the term was four years). The executive body of each council is appointed by the council deputies. The local head is the head of the executive body and also presides over meetings of the council (though he/she is not a member of the council). The residents of a group of neighbouring villages may choose, via a referendum, to elect a single council and head for the group of villages.

Councils of deputies are also elected at the district (raion) and regional (oblast) levels. The chairman of each district and regional council is elected by the council members and heads the council’s executive staff. In a city which is subdivided into districts, separate councils may be elected for the city districts. Municipal government in Kyiv and Sevastopol is regulated by separate legislation.

In the regions and districts, as well as in Kyiv and Sevastopol, executive government is exercised by local 'state administrations'. The heads of these administrations are appointed (and may be dismissed from office) by the President, following nomination by the Cabinet of Ministers. Each head appoints his/her staff.

The local state administrations are accountable to the central government. They are also accountable to their regional or district councils with respect to specific areas of authority delegated to them by the councils. A council may pass a motion of no confidence in its local state administration and, if such a motion is passed by at least a two-thirds majority, the President is required to replace the head of the administration.