1 – 10 June 2005, specialists of the Volyn regional branch of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, with the assistance of the Volyn Regional Fund for Investment and Development, conducted a survey of experts, the purpose of which was to determine the rating of the most authoritative politicians and branches of political parties in the region, and opinion on issues related to the socio-political situation in the region in the context of assessing the first steps of the newly appointed leadership of the regional state administration. This survey is the next step in the implementation of the project "Expert View". The participants of the program were 20 experts representing individual regional mass media and specialists of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University. Wishing to avoid tendentious survey results, the list included experts who do not work for one or another political force. The experts were asked to evaluate the activity of regional branches of political parties and the activity of public-political and state figures in January-May 2005 on a ten-point scale. Based on the survey results, corresponding ratings were compiled. Thus, according to the experts, the leading positions in the activity of regional branches of political parties are occupied by: the Ukrainian People's Party (5.7 points), the Party "People's Union "Our Ukraine" (4.5), the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united) (4.5), the All-Ukrainian Union "Batkivshchyna" (4.3), the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists (3.7). Among public-political and state figures, according to expert assessments, the leaders are: Head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Volodymyr Bondar (7.6 points), Lutsk City Mayor Anton Kryvytskyi (7.1), People's Deputy of Ukraine Ihor Yeremieiev (6.4), Head of the Volyn Regional Council Vasyl Dmytruk (5.9), People's Deputy of Ukraine Borys Zahreva (5.4). The most resonant events during January-May 2005, according to the experts, were: the appointment of the new leadership of the Volyn Regional State Administration headed by V. N. Bondar, the confrontation between the head of the regional state administration V. Bondar and the prosecutor of the Volyn region A. Hil, and among the events that influenced the socio-political situation in the region were also named the price crisis (fuel, food products), the hidden "war" between the head of the Volyn Regional State Administration V. Bondar and Lutsk City Mayor A. Kryvytskyi, the statement of the regional organization of the UNP regarding the personnel decisions of the Regional State Administration, the detention of representatives of the "National Alliance" in Belarus, and the political structuring of the Lutsk City and Volyn Regional Councils. The activity of the head of the Regional State Administration during February – May 2005 was positively assessed by 5% of the surveyed experts, rather positively than negatively – 45%, rather negatively than positively – 30%, 20% – could not decide on an answer. Among the measures of the regional state administration that positively influenced the situation in the region, the attraction of investments was named (in particular, the signing of an agreement with the German firm "Kromberg & Schubert"). Among the measures of the regional state administration that negatively influenced the situation in the region, the following were named: the escalation of conflict with the regional prosecutor's office, the appointment of V. Zaremba as deputy head of the Regional State Administration, an attempt to manipulate journalists, attempts to use administrative methods of influence in solving problems, the methods of the Regional State Administration's work with entrepreneurs, and V. Bondar's interference in the election of the rector of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University. Regarding personnel appointments and the settlement of conflicts caused by them, the experts' opinions were divided approximately equally – some believe that the personnel appointments negatively influenced the situation in the region, while others believe positively. The personnel appointments of the head of the Volyn Regional State Administration were positively assessed by 5% of experts, rather positively than negatively – 25%, rather negatively than positively – 45%, 20% could not assess them, and 5% – assessed them negatively. Regarding the assessment of the work of the deputy heads of the regional state administration: 40% of experts assessed the appointment and activity of the first deputy head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Shyba B. P. positively (20%) and rather positively than negatively (20%), while 35% – rather negatively than positively (25%) and negatively (10%). Among the positive qualities of the first deputy head, extensive experience in administrative and political work was named, and among the negative – his work as head of the Turiisk district state administration, the lack of concrete results of activity, and incompetence. 55% of experts assessed the appointment and activity of the deputy head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Baitsym V. F. positively (25%) and rather positively than negatively (30%), 40% – found it difficult to answer, and 5% assessed his activity negatively. Among the positive factors in his activity, it was named that he is a person of the new generation with his own vision of solving problems, knows the problems of business, and is actively engaged in attracting investments. Among the negative factors – insufficient effectiveness in work and his low profile among the public of the region. 30% of experts assessed the appointment and activity of the deputy head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Zaremba V. M. positively (5%) and rather positively than negatively (25%), 40% – found it difficult to answer, and 30% – rather positively than negatively (20%) and negatively (10%). Among the positive factors, it was named that he is an authoritative specialist in the field of agriculture and has extensive experience working in state bodies; among the negative – belonging to the old team of managers and the lack of concrete actions. 65% of experts assessed the appointment and activity of the deputy head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Karpuk V. H. positively (30%) and rather positively than negatively – 35%, found it difficult to answer – 30%, rather negatively than positively – 5%. Among the positive factors, it was named – "professionally approaches problem-solving, a respected person in the region with firm political views, an authoritative doctor and deputy"; among the negative – the lack of results and cooperation with public organizations. 45% of experts believe that the work of state authorities since the appointment of the above-mentioned civil servants has remained unchanged, 30% note an improvement in work, 15% believe that it has changed for the worse, and 10% found it difficult to answer. Among the positive factors, they note that their work has become more transparent, but note that "old methods and old people nullify the ideas of transparency, honesty, justice, and determination in reforming power." 65% of experts believe that the regional authorities partially adhere to the principles of democracy and transparency in their work declared before the presidential elections in Ukraine, 20% – do not adhere, and 15% believe that they do not adhere at all. Among the reasons named were – "interference in the work of journalists and failure to observe full freedom of speech, V. Bondar's concurrent positions – evidence of failure to observe the principle of legality." 60% of experts believe that in 2005 a change of leadership of the regional state administration is possible, no – 10%, difficult to answer – 30%.
Press service of the Volyn branch of the CVU