The Halychyna Assembly.The issue of regional and state unity (1990–1991)

Abstract

The national democratic rebirth of Halychyna Ukraine began with the vic-tory of the democratic-nationalist camp inthe 1990 elections. Yet the economic and governmental blockade, the attempt by Communist state structures to weaken de-mocratic forces in the western oblasts, and fears related to the proclamation of in-dependence forced the leadership of the western oblasts to make a joint effort to ac-tualize the democratic-nationalist idea through the Halychyna Assembly. The assembly's activities contradict the accusations made against it of se-paratist tendencies. In truth, it testified to the Halychyna community's ambition to play a leading role in market reforms and democratic change throughout all Ukra-ine. The consistent position of Halychyna Assembly leaders on nationhood resisted pressures from conservative forces. The assembly's efforts led not only to the crea-tion of a program of deregulation and economic reform, but also to the transfer of administrative power to the local level. With Ukraine's attainment of independen-ce, politicians in the western oblasts vied for the presidency and focused their ener-gy on the continuing task of developing nationhood; in doing so, they stepped out onto the stage of Ukraine-wide politics