DOCSLIB.ORG

Reforms Under the Microscope As of April 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reforms Under the Microscope As of April 2017 Reforms under the Microscope As of April 2017 REANIMATION PACKAGE OF REFORMS Reforms under the Microscope As of April 2017 Kyiv, 2017 UDC 323.2(477):351(477) ББК 66.3(4УКР)+67.9(4УКР) R 34 ISBN 978–617–7031–61–0 This publication has been produced with the assistance of the Euro- pean Union within the project «Enhancement of the Reanimation Package of Reforms coalition» which is implemented by the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Team of contributors: Andriy Baranov, Natalia Best, Tetiana Boiko, Olha Hamankova, Andriy Hevko, Volodymyr Dybrovskyi, Artem Zakharov, Yevhen Krapyvin, Roman Kuibida, Oleksandr Liemienov, Ivan Lukerya, Vadym Miskyi, Roman Nitsovych, Serhiy Ponomariov, Olena Prokopenko, Yevhen Radchenko, Maria Repko, Igor Rozkladaj, Dmytro Romanovych, Ksenia Serdiuk, Serhiy Soroka, Tetiana Tevkun, Taras Tkachuk, Yulia Cheberiak, Zoriana Chernenko, Ruslan Chornyi, Anna Shumeiko, Dmytro Yablonovskyi, Oleksandr Yabchanka. R 34 Reforms under the Microscope (as of April 2017) / ed. V. Miskyi, Kyiv: Sofiya-А, 2017. – 132 p. Illustrated. ISBN 978–617–7031–61–0 In this publication, experts of the Reanimation Package of Reforms – Ukrainian coalition of non-governmental organi- zations – analyze the key tasks that Ukraine is facing on its path towards institutional, economic, and social reforms, as well as assess the status of their regulatory support and implementation over 2016 and in early 2017. Overview of each reform includes the description of its progress and stakeholders’ participation, as well as presents recommendations for the authorities for further action. UDC 323.2(477):351(477) ББК 66.3(4УКР)+67.9(4УКР) © Compiled by the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law, 2017 Foreword In more than three years after the Revolution of Dignity, the the Corruption Prevention”. According to these changes, progress of reforms is obvious in various spheres of public leaders and all members of anticorruption non-governmen- policy. Experts of the Reanimation Package of Reforms tal organizations, their contractors and even participants not only prepare dozens of draft laws, but also encourage of anticorruption campaigns initiated by these NGOs shall the authorities to execute them in a timely and sustainable submit declarations of persons authorized to perform the manner, ensuring the implementation of reforms. functions of the state. Ukrainian civil society and the inter- national partners of xUkraine have strongly condemned The period under review has been marked by the follow- the introduction of discriminatory regulations, non-existing ing achievements: ensuring full-fledged operation of the in any civilized country, and continue to demand that they National Anticorruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti- are abolished. corruption Prosecutor’s Office; launching the e-declaration system; transferring all public procurement to the Prozorro We call on the responsible authorities to focus their efforts system; launching the judicial reform through adoption of on the continuation of the initiated reforms: to properly the constitutional amendments on justice; further amalga- implement the constitutional amendments on justice, mation of territorial communities within the decentralization to form a bona fide Supreme Court without any discred- reform; establishing a public broadcaster; appointing first ited officials, to continue improving the judicial system, to state secretaries. Rehabilitation of the banking system establish a system of anticorruption judicial institutions as and deregulation are in progress; a number of important the last link in the system of prosecution for high-level cor- laws in the sphere of energy and environmental protection, ruption, to set up the State Bureau of Investigation and bringing Ukraine closer to the European standards, have to delegate investigative functions to it, to unblock the been adopted. land market, to implement the healthcare and the pension reforms, to introduce an open list proportional electoral Relentlessly fighting for a proper implementation of system in the process of parliamentary election, to ensure reforms, the RPR has counteracted the attempts to roll proper financing of a public broadcaster, to continue the back the key changes, particularly, in the anticorrup- reform of public administration and decentralization, to tion sphere: to change the regulations on the crimes to develop competitive electricity and heat markets, and to be investigated by the National Anticorruption Bureau, to improve the energy efficiency of housing sector. introduce countless amendments to the law on the pre- vention of corruption, etc. However, politicians have been We are looking forward to continuing an effective coopera- unnerved by the civil society which demonstrated its deter- tion in order to achieve tangible changes. mination in the protection of anticorruption regulations and achievements of the Revolution of Dignity: the parliament Best regards, has adopted discriminatory amendments to the law “On the Team of the Reanimation Package of Reforms Anticorruption reform th nd «Barrier No.1 144 142 th st place place 131 130 place to investments» place 56% Ukraine’s of Ukrainians consider corruption – this is how foreign investors ranking in one of the major problems in assess large-scale corruption the Corruption the country (Transparency in Ukraine (Dragon Capital and 2013 2014 2015 2016 Perception Index International, November 2016) EBA, November 2016) Challenges and goals of public policy More than 70% of Ukrainians are convinced that the level mentioning the development of an anticorruption strategy of corruption in the country has not decreased, and the gov- for 2014-2017, the adoption of new laws “On the corrup- ernment does not want to expose corrupt officials. This is tion prevention”, “On the National Anticorruption Bureau”, demonstrated by the survey “The World Corruption Barom- “On the State Bureau of Investigation”, amendments to the eter – 2016” conducted by the anticorruption organization law “On the Prosecutor’s Office” (concerning the Special- Transparency International1. Of all the respondents, 56% ized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office), and laws “On the consider corruption one of the main problems in the country. National Agency of Ukraine for identification, search, and Almost half of the respondents have no doubts that govern- management of assets derived from corruption and other mental decisions are influenced by oligarchs. Finally, 86% crimes”, “On public procurement”, “On the prevention of of survey participants have a negative attitude towards the and counteraction to political corruption,” etc. attempts of Ukrainian authorities to eradicate corruption. According to the presidential “Strategy 2020”5, the main According to the portfolio investors and strategic foreign goal of the anticorruption reform is to significantly reduce investors, polled by Dragon Capital and the European corruption in Ukraine, minimize the losses of the state Business Association2, large-scale corruption and a lack budget and businesses caused by corruption, and improve of trust in the judicial system are the biggest obstacles Ukraine’s position in international ratings assessing the to capital inflow to Ukraine. Since the Revolution of Dig- level of corruption. At the same time, this strategy mentions nity, Ukraine has ascended only 13 positions in the global the need to overcome political corruption by reforming the annual Corruption Perception Index – from being 144th in political financing system. The presidential Strategy focuses 20133 it became 131st in 20164. There is little dynamics; on two anticorruption agencies – the National Anticorrup- and in fact, in 2015 this indicator was better than in 2016. tion Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP). According to the Govern- Over the past three years, a number of laws and regu- ment’s Action Plan – 20166, the Specialized Anticorruption lations have been adopted enabling the launch of a real Prosecutor’s Office is also one of the cornerstones of the anticorruption reform in Ukraine. First of all, it is worth anticorruption reform along with NABU and NACP. 6 A lack of independent judiciary is a key challenge in the system met enormous resistance from several state insti- process of combating corruption. The newly established tutions and was completed only due to mounting pressure NABU has already proved its capacity of investigating high- from civil society and international partners of Ukraine. The level corruption. In particular, its effectiveness is confirmed collegial form of NACP management proved ineffective, by its tense relations with the “old” investigative agency so it is advisable to revise the way the NACP leader is – the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine – which wors- selected, making him/her bear sole responsibility for the ened in August 2016. The amendments to the Constitution agency’s activity. regarding justice and the new law “On the judiciary and the status of judges”, adopted in June 2016, provide for the As to the prevention of political corruption in 2016, parlia- establishment of the High Anticorruption Court as a spe- mentary parties have for the first time received payments cialized court of first instance to consider the cases within from the state budget for their statutory activities. How-
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Public Broadcasting in Ukraine
    РОЗДІЛ 1 ДЕРЖАВНЕ МОВЛЕННЯ: ВІД ПРОПАГАНДИ ДО АДМІНРЕСУРСУ Svitlana Ostapa, Vadym Miskyi, Ihor Rozkladai under the general editorship of Natalia Lyhachova Svitlana Ostapa, Vadym Miskyi, Ihor Rozkladai Miskyi, Ihor Rozkladai Svitlana Ostapa, Vadym PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN UKRAINE: History of Creation and Challenges PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN UKRAINE: HISTORY OF CREATION AND CHALLENGES IN UKRAINE: HISTORY OF CREATION PUBLIC BROADCASTING 1 2 Svitlana Ostapa, Vadym Miskyi, Ihor Rozkladai under the general editorship of Natalia Lyhachova PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN UKRAINE: History of Creation and Challenges UDC 654.19 О 76 Production of this brochure was made possible with the financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Government of Sweden. The content of the brochure is the sole responsibility of Detector Media NGO and does not necessarily reflect the po- sition of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, or the Government of Sweden. S.V. Ostapa, V.V. Miskyi, I.Ye. Rozkladai under the general editorship of Natalia Lyhachova. О 76 Public broadcasting in Ukraine: History of Creation and Challenges. — Kyiv: VIOL PRINTING HOUSE LLC, 2018. — 168 p. Fig. Media experts directly involved in the establishment of the Public Broadcasting in Ukraine reveal the history of the transformation of state broadcasters into the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine. It was a path from advocating for the legislation necessary for the formation of a legal entity and its first steps. This brochure also describes the main challenges faced by the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine at the end of the first two years of its operation.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Issues and US Policy
    Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy name redacted Section Research Manager April 27, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov RL33460 Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy Summary In February 2014, the Kremlin-supported government of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych collapsed. The demise of the regime was brought about by bitter protests that had erupted in Kyiv’s Maidan Square in late 2013 over a decision by the government to reject closer relations with the European Union. What followed the turmoil of early 2014 was the emergence of a pro- Western, pro-reform government and an energized public generally anxious to lessen Moscow’s influence, committed to addressing the need for serious reform, and determined to draw closer to Europe and the United States. Despite the current Kyiv government’s commitment to reform, the pro-Western political and economic orientation, and the presence of a vibrant, yet frustrated, civil society dedicated to the implementation of change, Ukraine remains far from achieving the political and economic stability and internal security sought by the supporters of the Maidan. In fact, 2016 has already proven to be a very unsettling time for the government as frustrations have mounted over the slow pace of political reform and economic progress by pro-reformers and the West. These shortcomings initially resulted in the resignations of a popular, reform-minded economy minister and a deputy prosecutor and in warnings from the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and several European nations that Ukraine risked losing continued international financial support if progress was not made.
    [Show full text]
  • Riding the Anti-Corruption Tide
    #7 (113) July 2017 What kind of land reform Will Ukraine lose the transit Updates on Ukraine’s captives will boost the economy of Russian gas in Russia and Crimea RIDING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION TIDE WWW.UKRAINIANWEEK.COM Featuring selected content from The Economist FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION CONTENTS | 3 BRIEFING 32 So many suspects, so little evidence: 4 The very costly secret: Ukrainian prisoners The pitfalls of Yanukovych’s in Russia and Crimea $1.5bn case 34 Ihor Luniov: “Our enemies no longer sleep tight” Commander POLITICS of Ukraine’s new Special Operations 7 Farmers vs agriholdings: Forces on progress, plans What kind of land market 36 Martin Brest: “Victory is not possible Ukraine needs until the people start to truly love 10 The Holy Grail: Who wants a change their military“ of Ukraine’s Constitution, and why Veteran and blogger on problems 12 Pre-Constitutional changes: and spirit in the Army, veteran What preceded the 1996 Constitution activism and life after war FOCUS NEIGHBOURS 16 A new kind of sport: 38 The crossroads of the new Silk Road: Why the trend of fighting government Kazakhstan is open for business corruption yields no visible results but only half-ready for it 18 Numerical anti-corruption: 40 Michael Binyon on the UK’s sense Scores in international rankings and of loss as Brexit talks start reports by domestic law enforcers 42 Gerardo Ángel Bugallo Ottone: “The image and ideas we project and ECONOMICS discuss today are not dissimilar 20 No transit, no cry: Dealing to the ones discussed during WWII” with the termination
    [Show full text]
  • Ukraine at the Crossroad in Post-Communist Europe: Policymaking and the Role of Foreign Actors Ryan Barrett [email protected]
    University of Missouri, St. Louis IRL @ UMSL Dissertations UMSL Graduate Works 1-20-2018 Ukraine at the Crossroad in Post-Communist Europe: Policymaking and the Role of Foreign Actors Ryan Barrett [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation Part of the Comparative Politics Commons, and the International Relations Commons Recommended Citation Barrett, Ryan, "Ukraine at the Crossroad in Post-Communist Europe: Policymaking and the Role of Foreign Actors" (2018). Dissertations. 725. https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/725 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the UMSL Graduate Works at IRL @ UMSL. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of IRL @ UMSL. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ukraine at the Crossroad in Post-Communist Europe: Policymaking and the Role of Foreign Actors Ryan Barrett M.A. Political Science, The University of Missouri - Saint Louis, 2015 M.A. International Relations, Webster University, 2010 B.A. International Studies, 2006 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate School at the The University of Missouri - Saint Louis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor Philosophy in Political Science May 2018 Advisory Committee: Joyce Mushaben, Ph.D. Jeanne Wilson, PhD. Kenny Thomas, Ph.D. David Kimball, Ph.D. Contents Introduction 1 Chapter I. Policy Formulation 30 Chapter II. Reform Initiatives 84 Chapter III. Economic Policy 122 Chapter IV. Energy Policy 169 Chapter V. Security and Defense Policy 199 Conclusion 237 Appendix 246 Bibliography 248 To the Pat Tillman Foundation for graciously sponsoring this important research Introduction: Ukraine at a Crossroads Ukraine, like many European countries, has experienced a complex history and occupies a unique geographic position that places it in a peculiar situation be- tween its liberal future and communist past; it also finds itself tugged in two opposing directions by the gravitational forces of Russia and the West.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforms in Ukraine After Revolution of Dignity
    REFORMS IN UKRAINE AFTER REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY What was done, why not more and what to do next This publicaon was produced with financial Responsibility for the informaon and views set out assistance from the EBRD-Ukraine Stabilisaon and in this publicaon lies enrely with the authors. The Sustainable Growth Mul-Donor Account, the EBRD makes no representaon or warranty, express donors of which are Denmark, Finland, France, or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, informaon set forth in the publicaon. The EBRD Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, has not independently verified any of the informaon the United States of America and the European contained in the publicaon and the EBRD accepts Union, the largest donor. The views expressed herein no liability whatsoever for any of the informaon can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion contained in the publicaon or for any misstatement of the EBRD or any donor of the account. or omission therein. The publicaon remains the property of the EBRD. REFORMS IN UKRAINE AFTER REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY What was done, why not more and what to do next Editors Ivan Miklos Pavlo Kukhta Contents Foreword 4 Introducon What was done, why not more and what to do next: Ukrainian reforms aer the Revoluon of Dignity 7 Chapter 1 Polical economy of reforms: polical system, governance and corrupon 10 Chapter 2 Macroeconomic policies 35 Chapter 3 Rule of law 48 Chapter 4 Energy policy 75 Chapter 5 Business environment 87 Chapter 6 Land reform 101 Chapter 7 Privasaon and SOE reform 112 Chapter 8 Healthcare reform 132 Chapter 9 Ukraine and the European Union 144 Annex 1 Report on reforms in 2016-17 162 Annex 2 The role of the government and MPs in reform implementaon in Ukraine 167 About SAGSUR (Strategic Advisory Group for Support of Ukrainian Reforms) 173 Glossary of terms 174 Foreword Foreword | 4 Foreword Maeo Patrone and Peter M.
    [Show full text]
  • IFES Faqs on Elections in Ukraine
    Elections in Ukraine 2019 Presidential Election Frequently Asked Questions Europe and Eurasia International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive | Floor 10 | Arlington, VA 22202 | www.IFES.org March 22, 2019 Frequently Asked Questions When is Election Day? ................................................................................................................................... 1 Why is this election important? .................................................................................................................... 1 What is the role of the president? ................................................................................................................ 1 What is the legal framework governing the elections? ................................................................................ 1 What is the electoral system? ....................................................................................................................... 2 Who are the candidates? .............................................................................................................................. 2 How are elections administered? ................................................................................................................. 3 Who can vote in these elections? ................................................................................................................. 4 How do citizens register to vote? ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College
    THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHREYER HONORS COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OLIGARCHIC PLURALISM IN THE 2014 EUROMAIDAN: HOW THE RISE OF OLIGARCHS IN GOVERNMENT SHAPED DEMOCRACY UN UKRAINE SIOBHAN FRANCES LEONARD SPRING 2020 A thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree with honors in Comparative Literature and International Studies with honors in Global and International Studies Reviewed and approved* by the following: JOSEPH WRIGHT PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE Thesis Supervisor JONATHAN ABEL PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE LITERATURE AND JAPANESE Honors Adviser * Electronic approvals are on file. ABSTRACT During the 1990s, Ukraine experienced a change in its political system, becoming a nominal liberal democratic with contested multiparty elections in combination with post-Soviet oligarch community. These newly established dimensions impacted two major revolutionary periods in Ukraine, dating from 1992-2004 and 2005-2014, reaching a climax of violent civil unrest during the Ukrainian Revolution of 2014. The Ukrainian Revolution, also known as the Euromaidan and Revolution of Dignity, illustrates the stages of modernization in a post-Soviet society. The Euromaidan mobilized a variety of regional and ethno-linguistic groups to demand political and economic reform. Members of oligarch clans, consisting mostly of ethnically Russian economic elites, are often appointed in regional government positions largely in the East, and hold substantial power in Ukrainian politics. My research question poses: “How did oligarchic concentration of economic and media power influence government functions such as public service delivery, and shape corruption patterns preceding the protest uprising in 2014?” In my thesis, I seek to study the impact of oligarch clans as holding centralized power, and how this system may affect Ukrainian national politics as seen under the leadership of former democratically elected, Pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, during the Ukrainian Revolution of 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ukrainian Weekly, 2017
    INSIDE: l Holodomor Education Conference 2017 – page 5 l Canadian internment fund’s legacy project – page 7 l U.S. announces new sanctions against Russia – page 9 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXV No. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 $2.00 Experts urge U.S. Congress Poroshenko meets with Trump, and Trump to arm Ukraine other senior U.S. officials in D.C. by Melinda Haring Commissioner for Human Rights. The task force urged the U.S. government WASHINGTON – A bipartisan task force to provide Ukraine with the following: made up of former U.S. defense officials, 1. Additional counter-battery radar units ambassadors, and security experts with fire-control systems, including longer- renewed calls for the United States to give range systems capable of detecting and tar- lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine. On geting Russian long-range artillery and June 21, the National Security Task Force of multiple-launch rocket systems as well as the Friends of Ukraine Network urged the mortars. United States to provide a range of weap- 2. Additional tactical secure communica- ons, intelligence and training. tions. “[T]he purpose of providing defensive 3. Advanced anti-tank launchers and weapons is to help Ukraine deter the missiles to counter the hundreds of tanks Russians from carrying out further attacks, Moscow has deployed to the occupied terri- and to increase the pressure on Russia to tories. negotiate seriously on implementing the 4. Advanced unmanned aerial vehicles Minsk agreements,” said Alexander with electronic warfare countermeasures Vershbow, a member of the task force and to offset the huge Russian advantage in bor- the former deputy secretary general of der and coastal surveillance.
    [Show full text]
  • This Is War. You're Part of It.__Slawsky.Pdf
    “THIS IS WAR. YOU’RE PART OF IT.” The conflict between mainstream and alternative media before, during, and after Ukraine’s Euromaidan _______________________ Renee Bernadette Slawsky Master’s Candidate for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service Georgetown University May 6, 2016 Table of Contents I. Introduction………………………………………………………………2 II. Theory: The mediatization of war………………………………………..3 a. Three phases of mediatization………………………………………...5 b. Third axis: Greater uncertainty in decision-making………..………...8 c. Summary……………………………………………………………...9 III. The media in Ukraine: Before Euromaidan…………………………….10 a. Initial changes in the 1990s………………………………………….10 b. The Orange Revolution……………………………………………...13 c. Mainstream media before Euromaidan……………………………...16 d. Summary.………………………………………………….……..… 22 IV. The media in Ukraine: Euromaidan and the rise of alternative media.…23 a. Role of social media…………………………………………………23 b. Mainstream media during Euromaidan……………………………...25 c. Rise of alternative media…………………………………………….27 V. The media in Ukraine: After Euromaidan, war with Russia……………30 a. Mainstream media on the war in eastern Ukraine……….…………..31 b. More alternative media focused on war in eastern Ukraine….……...34 c. Outside influences and computer-assisted reporting……………..…36 VI. The Ukrainian government and its information………………………...39 VII. Analysis and discussion………………………………………………...43 VIII. For further research……...………………………………………….…..46 IX. Conclusion…………………………………………………………...…48 I. Introduction Slawsky 1 “This is war. You’re part of it.” - Appeal of Ukrainian civil society organization to a group of international journalists Albeit unintentionally, this appeal in February 2014 by a Ukrainian civil society organization to a gathered group of journalists from around the world sums up the interaction between Ukraine’s recent crises and the media. News media no longer stands separate from conflict.
    [Show full text]
  • Ukraine | Freedom House Page 1 of 5
    Ukraine | Freedom House Page 1 of 5 Ukraine freedomhouse.org Україна Note: The scores and narrative for Ukraine do not reflect conditions in Russian-occupied Crimea, which is assessed in a separate report. Status change explanation: Ukraine’s status improved from Not Free to Partly Free due to profound changes in the media environment after the fall of President Viktor Yanukovych’s government in February, despite a rise in attacks on journalists during the Euromaidan protests of early 2014 and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine. The level of government hostility and legal pressure faced by journalists decreased, as did political pressure on state-owned outlets. The media also benefited from improvements to the law on access to information and the increased independence of the broadcasting regulator. Conditions for press freedom in Ukraine were affected by tumultuous political events in 2014. During the first two months of the year, a protest movement known as Euromaidan occupied central Kyiv and withstood waves of attacks by security forces loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych, who ultimately fled the country in late February. Russian forces then occupied Crimea and actively supported separatist militants in Ukraine’s two easternmost regions, Donetsk and Luhansk. Even as fighting escalated in the east, the country held democratic elections for the presidency and parliament in May and October, respectively. These events led to an overall improvement in the media environment, although concerns remain, especially regarding the government’s handling of pro-Russian propaganda, the concentration of ownership of private outlets in the hands of a small group of wealthy businessmen, and the high levels of violence against journalists in the country, especially in the east.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Issues and US Policy
    Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy Vincent L. Morelli Section Research Manager April 27, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33460 Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy Summary In February 2014, the Kremlin-supported government of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych collapsed. The demise of the regime was brought about by bitter protests that had erupted in Kyiv’s Maidan Square in late 2013 over a decision by the government to reject closer relations with the European Union. What followed the turmoil of early 2014 was the emergence of a pro- Western, pro-reform government and an energized public generally anxious to lessen Moscow’s influence, committed to addressing the need for serious reform, and determined to draw closer to Europe and the United States. Despite the current Kyiv government’s commitment to reform, the pro-Western political and economic orientation, and the presence of a vibrant, yet frustrated, civil society dedicated to the implementation of change, Ukraine remains far from achieving the political and economic stability and internal security sought by the supporters of the Maidan. In fact, 2016 has already proven to be a very unsettling time for the government as frustrations have mounted over the slow pace of political reform and economic progress by pro-reformers and the West. These shortcomings initially resulted in the resignations of a popular, reform-minded economy minister and a deputy prosecutor and in warnings from the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and several European nations that Ukraine risked losing continued international financial support if progress was not made.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Networks and Socio-Political Transformations in Ukraine Honorata Mazepus , Antoaneta Dimi
    When Business and Politics Mix: Local Networks and Socio-Political Transformations in Ukraine Honorata Mazepusa*, Antoaneta Dimitrovaa, Matthew Frearb, Dimiter Toshkovc, and Nina Onopriychukd a Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University, Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP, The Hague; b Institute for History, Leiden University, P.N. van Eyckhof 2, 2311 BV Leiden; c Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP, The Hague; d Political Science and Public Administration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. De Boelelaan 1105, 1081HV Amsterdam; The Netherlands *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] This paper investigates whether and how patronage networks affect the progress of socio-political reforms at the local level in Ukraine. It contributes in three ways to the study of networks and transitions of socio-political orders: first, it provides rich empirical study using primary (interview) and secondary data; second, it focuses on the local rather than national level and analyses three understudied cases of networks (Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk); third, theoretically it relates the studies of patronage networks in post-communist setting to a broader framework of limited access orders. Our findings show that although multiplicity of networks might be a necessary condition for the opening of access to political and economic resources, it is not a sufficient one. Also, the presence of multiple networks is not necessary for high level of citizen satisfaction with public goods provision—a single dominant network might achieve a relatively high level of citizen satisfaction too. Keywords: local networks; Ukraine; patronage; limited access orders; satisfaction with public goods provision 1 1. Introduction Social networks are ubiquitous in social, economic, and political life (Collier 2016, 10).
    [Show full text]