SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE ELECTION PROGRAMS OF PARLIAMENTAL POLITICAL PARTIES (2019)

The article analyzes the election programs of political parties (social block of issues) that managed to get into the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the early elections to the Ukrainian parliament in 2019. It is noted that the political party «Servant of the People» gained significant support due to the image of «honest new faces» and the promise of fundamental reforms (fight against corruption through the digitalization of services, reform of healthcare and pension system, etc.) It is noted that the anti-Ukrainian, pro-Russian party «Opposition Platform – For Life», in addition to political slogans, focused on social issues and promises to reduce tariffs, write off utility debts, and increase social benefits. It is shown that the political party «Batkivshchyna» in the social sphere declared a reduction in gas tariffs, pension reforms, compulsory health insurance, and generally improving the welfare of the population and raising wages to the level of Poland within five years. It is indicated that the European Solidarity focused on Ukraine’s European integration aspirations, as well as the fight against corruption, and support for small and medium-sized businesses. It is noted that the party «Voice»: offered voters anti-corruption policy with a special emphasis on the fight against the oligarchy. It is proved that the vast majority of parties in their programs focused on improving the welfare of citizens through economic reforms, raising social standards, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, which indicates that political forces understand the importance of economic issues for voters. Many of the promises in the parties’ programs (reducing tariffs, increasing wages, providing affordable health insurance) were populist, i.e., focused on gaining voter support quickly, but often lacked clear and realistic mechanisms for implementation.