Local elections in Kyiv should be held in 2015, according to Constitutional Court

Kyiv, May 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The elections of deputies to Kyiv City Council and Kyiv mayor should be held in 2015, according to a decision of the Constitutional Court taken on May 29 and published on Thursday.

As the court decision reads, the next local elections should be held simultaneously all over Ukraine on the last Sunday of October 2015.

After amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine came into force on February 1, 2011 regarding the election of people's deputies, president and local elections, "all scheduled elections of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, Supreme Council of Autonomous Republic of Crimea, city, regional, village councils and city, village heads take place simultaneously all over the territory of Ukraine on the last Sunday of October in 2015."

As reported, on March 19, the Constitutional Court received a motion from 48 MPs on the interpretation of certain provisions of the constitution and the law on local elections regarding local elections in Kyiv.

The lawmakers asked the Constitutional Court to make an official interpretation of Part 2, Article 136, Part 3, Article 141 of the Constitution of Ukraine, and Paragraph 1, Part 2, Article 14 of the law of Ukraine on the election of deputies of the Crimean Supreme Council, local councils and heads of villages and towns.

Early elections for Kyiv City Council deputies and Kyiv mayor were held in late May 2008. The five-year term of their powers expires at the end of May 2013. The opposition stated its intention to block the work of Kyiv City Council from June, as the term of its office will expire, and it will be illegitimate.

Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky tendered his resignation on June 1, 2012. On July 12, 2012, the city council accepted the early termination of his powers. According to the city council's decision, Kyiv City Council Secretary Halyna Hereha has temporarily fulfilled the duties of Kyiv mayor since the time of Chernovetsky's resignation.