PERSONALIZATION OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS AS A FACTOR OF RESTORATION OF CITIZENS' TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT

Abstract

The relevance of the research topic is due to the increasing level of public distrust of the authorities under martial law, the main factors of which are corruption and the lack of effective mechanisms for bringing public officials to civil liability (material) for damage caused to individuals and legal entities by way of recourse. The article discusses the current challenges of liberal democracies, in particular, the growing distrust of governments and the impact of populist policies on socio-political stability. The risks associated with this phenomenon, including social inequality and global conflicts, are pointed out. It is stated that in Ukraine, populism has led to mass unrest, corruption, and public distrust of the authorities. It is stated that the low level of public trust in the government is extremely dangerous under martial law, as it serves as an instrument of the aggressor state's struggle against Ukraine both on the world stage by supporting the Russian Federation's narrative of the «illegitimacy» of the Ukrainian authorities and within the country through various information and psychological operations. The author analyzes the legislative aspects of liability of civil servants for damage caused, pointing out the limited possibility of bringing them to civil liability. The article provides statistical data on the state's expenditures related to compensation for damages caused by officials and the low percentage of recourse claims against them. The state's spending hundreds of millions of hryvnias from the budget, instead of the personal funds of public servants, as compensation for illegal decisions, actions and inaction of such servants, looks particularly cynical, given the text of the oath of a public servant to serve the Ukrainian people faithfully. The article also examines the legal regulation of the possibility of bringing MPs, the President of Ukraine and members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to civil liability (material) for damage caused to individuals and legal entities while performing their duties and powers by way of recourse. The author points out that the absence of a mechanism for bringing a Member of Parliament, the President and a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to civil liability (material) responsibility by way of recourse is a cause for debate among scholars, politicians and lawyers.