Parliament to hold meeting Aug. 31 to consider constitution amendments on decentralization

In the first reading the bill has to collect the simple majority – at least 226 votes. The final adoption of amendments to the Constitution requires the constitutional majority – at least 300 votes. The proposed amendments would introduce a new administrative-territorial system in Ukraine with the primary entity of governance being a 'hromada' (community). Several hromadas would constitute a district, and districts would constitute a region. Local self-governance would be exercised by elected councils of hromadas, districts and regions through their executive bodies (district and region executive committees). The 'hromada' heads would be elected for a term of 4 years in direct general elections, while the heads of district and regional councils would be elected within their respective councils. The proposed amendments also introduce the post of a prefect to be appointed and dismissed by the president. The prefects will be appointed and the executive committees of district and regional councils will be staffed after the next local elections, due in October 2017. Until then, the existing district and regional administrations will continue to function.