Election silence is a legally determined period that typically begins directly before Election Day and lasts until the voting comes to an end. During the election silence, it is forbidden to conduct “any form of electoral agitation aimed at promoting a particular candidate, list of candidates or electoral committees participating in the election among voters”. Due to the rapid development of new media, particularly the Internet, many experts argue that in the age of digital media it is no longer enforceable. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to answer the question of whether or not it is justified to retain the current regulations on election silence. These considerations are supported by quantitative surveys conducted by the author, as well as the survey realized by the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS).

The article provides a scientific analysis of the financial independence of territorial communities, which is aimed at strengthening the implementation of decentralization measures in Ukraine. Indicated that problems of financial support of the local government powers are the focus of Ukrainian scientists, experts in local budget management and finance. Independence in the aspect of local self-government should be considered within the norms established by the Constitution of Ukraine, the European Charter of Local Self-Government, and other legislative acts. Performed theoretical and applied identification of the “financial independence of the territorial community”. Analyzed the key provisions of the Ukrainian legislation on financial support of territorial communities, which were transformed in the process of decentralization during 2014–2020. Highlighted the state policy components of ensuring the financial independence of territorial communities, based on the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Measures of state policy to ensure the financial independence of territorial communities can be systematized into two groups: 1) direct participation of the state in the formation of financial resources of communities and territories; 2) indirect participation of the state in the formation of financial resources of communities and territories and their disposal. Noted that consolidation of revenue sources in local budgets of Ukraine is characterized by instability. Summarized the results of the sociological study of the financial support of territorial communities in terms of their financial independence. Emphasized the lack of legal opportunity for local governments to independently keep records of personal income tax and other national taxes in terms of their payers. Proposed the measures to improve the administration of taxes, which are a source of revenue to local budgets: organization of a digital information network on the payment of taxes and other mandatory payments by individuals and ensuring access to it by local government officials; establishing interaction of territorial bodies of the State Tax Service of Ukraine with local self- -government bodies on issues of control over the correctness and timeliness of tax payments and other obligatory payments by individuals and legal entities, etc.

The proposal to introduce a majority voting system has become one of the most crucial elements of rivalry in the Polish presidential campaign of 2015. It was accompanied by an accusation that the proportional voting system seemingly affects the political life in Poland, making it more and more party-dependant. The aim of the present article is to refute the above accusation and present the weaknesses of the majority voting systems, based on British political system. Comparative, historical and analytical methods will be used in order to substantiate the thesis of the article, i.e. that political parties’ influence will not be reduced due to the introduction of the majority voting system. Moreover, the article will also discuss the reasons behind and consequences of using the proportional voting system in Poland, in the light of the so called “crisis of democracy”.

This study presents and analyzes the results of public opinion surveys conducted in Wales in 2017–2023 regarding the political future of the region. Using quantitative, comparative and systemic methods, the political solutions proposed by the Welsh were identified. The aim of the study is to answer the question whether current centrifugal tendencies may lead to Wales gaining independence in the foreseeable future.