MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY IN UKRAINE IN THE PRO- CESS OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSFORMATIONS

Abstract

The article explores the peculiarities of the functioning of municipal authority in Ukraine under the conditions of democratic transformations and identifies the directions for its further reform. The essence and content of the concept of municipal authority in contemporary scholarly discourse are analyzed, and its role is revealed as a key institution of public administration that ensures the implementation of the principles of local democracy, citizen participation in decision-making, and the formulation of territorial development policies. The evolution of the mu- nicipal governance system in Ukraine is examined, particularly the stages of formation and modernization of local self-government in the context of political and socio-economic changes. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the modern model of municipal authority organization, its structural components, mechanisms of interaction with state authorities, and civil society institutions. It is established that the efficiency of the municipal system largely depends on the level of decentralization, financial autonomy of local communities, and the quality of managerial decisions. The main problems hindering the development of municipal authority are identified, including insufficient institutional capacity of local self- government bodies, limited resources, an imperfect legal framework, and a low level of public participation in governance processes. Directions for improving the municipal governance system are proposed based on the principles of subsidiarity, democracy, transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The necessity of adapting the Ukrainian model of local self-government to European standards, particularly in accordance with the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, is substantiated. The methodological foundation of the study includes systemic, institutional, comparative, and structural- functional approaches, which ensured a comprehensive examination of the research subject. The object of the study is the system of municipal authority in Ukraine, while the subject is the organizational, legal, and managerial principles of its functioning under the conditions of democratic transformations. The results of the research can be used to improve the system of municipal governance in Ukraine, enhance the efficiency of local self-government institutions, and develop recommendations for aligning national practices with European standards of public administration and local democr.