European experience in the division of competences between municipal and state authorities

The article is devoted to the study of the European experience in division of competences between municipal and state authorities and determination of the possibilities of its implementation in Ukraine. The scientific works that study the issues of division of competences and powers between state and municipal authorities in European countries were analyzed, and the problems that arose during the implementation of administrative and territorial, and decentralization reform by European countries were considered. The division of powers between state and municipal authorities of different levels were also analyzed. The administrative and territorial structure of European countries that are closest to Ukraine geographically, historically and mentally were studied and the division of competences between municipal and state authorities in France, Poland and the Czech Republic in the context of their administrative and territorial reforms, and decentralization reform were analyzed. The legal framework of these countries regarding the division of competences while implementing the decentralization reform was also analyzed. It was emphasized that the division of competences between municipal and state authorities is based on the principles of subsidiarity. The analysis of division of competences between local self-government authorities and state authorities in Ukraine under the martial law showed the significant role of local self-government authorities as military administrations with appropriate powers. The author substantiates the need to continue decentralization reform in Ukraine in the post-war period and further develop the institution of local self-government on the principles of subsidiarity, and active implementation of the European experience of municipalities with expanded powers at the community level to increase the efficiency of public authorities. The article identifies promising areas for improving the division of competencies and powers between state authorities and local self-government authorities in Ukraine, taking into account the European experience in the post-war period. Taking into account the positive European experience of division of competences between state and municipal authorities, it was proposed to improve the division of competences between local self-government authorities and state authorities in Ukraine by expanding the powers of local self-government authorities and transforming local state administrations into prefectural institutions, while retaining their control and supervisory functions.