Забезпечення національної безпеки у процесі здійснення форм безпосередньої демократії на місцевому рівні

The relevance of the work is determined by the existing threats to national security, which have been exacerbated by the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, as well as by the processes of European integration of Ukraine. The authors set out to study the issues of ensuring Ukraine's national security in the process of implementing various forms of direct democracy at the local level. To achieve this goal, the article uses the analysis of written sources, logical analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and description. The article examines the place of foreigners in public life at the local level in terms of the right to participate in local elections, local referendums, general meetings, as well as local initiatives and public hearings. The authors analyze the risks to national security in case of granting foreigners voting rights at the local level, as well as the right to participate in the referendum. The article analyzes the legal regulation of foreigners' participation in direct forms of democracy not only under Ukrainian law, but also under the laws of the United States of America, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and the European Union acquis. The authors formulate various options (methods) for ensuring national security in the process of realizing the right of foreigners to participate in various forms of direct democracy. Further research is promising and necessary for choosing the best option for legal regulation.