Descentralização na UE.pdf

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Devolution in Austria

EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the

RegionsCoR-Studies I 1/2005 14Brussels, January 2005


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Bund

Intermediate

level

Regional

level

Local

level

National

level

(Federationlevel)

1.5.1999Amsterdam Treaty enters into force

24.11.2002Federal elections

1.2.2003Entry into force of the Nice Treaty

29.10.2004Signature of the Treaty

establishing a Constitution for Europe

28.2.2003Second Schssel government

28.1.2005Last meeting of the

Austrian Convention; presentationof a draft Constitution and a reportto the federal President, the federal

government, the National Council, theFederal Council, the minister-presidents

of the n d e and the regionalparliaments and then discussed

in Parliament.

From late1990sadditional Euro-Regionsestablished comprising

regionsfrom theCzech Republic,

Slovakia,Hungary,Slovenia,Germany,Italy

and Switzerland

Devolution in Austria

volution process

19.12.1945TheFederal Constitution

isreinstated (B-VG)

26.10.1955Lawon Constitutional Neutrality:

Austriaregains itssovereignty

December 1955AustriajoinstheUN

1972Signatureof thebilateral freetradeagreement withtheEEC

1970Italo-AustrianPact

onSouthTyrol

12.11.1918Emperor Karl I abdicates: Thefirst Republicof Austriaisestablishedbytheaccessionof theLnder(regions)

13.3.1938Austriaisan nexed

byGermany

10.4.1938Austriabecomes the Ostmark

(EasternProvince of theThird Reich)

April 1945Austrialiberated

bytheAllies

15.5.1955StateTreaty: SecondRepublic

1962Amendment to

municipal legislation:revision of the

Federal Constitution:expansion of localself-government

in Austria

1862Imperial

egislation oncal authoritieseichsgemeinde-

gesetz )

1966The sterreichische

Gemeindebund(Association of Austrian

local authorities)can takepart in all

consultations onlawsand decrees

1972Cross-border cooperationworking party of Alpine

countriesu nder theauspicesofARGE-ALP(Germany/Italy/Austria/Switzerland)

1978Cross-border cooperationworking party under the

auspicesof ALPEN-ADRIA(Italy/Austria/Slovenia/

Hungary/Germany/Switzerland/ Croatia)

1998Agreement on cross-border

cooperation between theself-governing provinceof Bolzano-South Tyrol,

theself-governing provinceof Trient and the

Landof Tyrol (Euregio)

1980TheEuropean

Framework Conventionon cross-border

cooperation betweenlocal and regional

authorities

1992TheLnderand local authoritiesa re

associated with theEUinformation networks:theLnderplay aleading roleformulatingAustrian policy positionson all EUdraft

legislation which affectstheir areasof responsibility. TheLndercan acton behalf of thefederation in areas

for which they areresponsible

und

Bundesprsident(Federal president)elected by direct universal suffrage for a six-year term

Bundesversammlung(Federal Parliament)

Bundesrat(Federal Council) (legislature,upper chamber of parliament). 64 memberselected bytheLandtage (regionalparliaments) inproportion to thepopulationof eachLand. Haspowersof veto enablingit to delaylegislation. Hasto endorsedraftfederal legislation of concern to theLnder

Nationalrat(National Council)(legislature, lower chamber ofparliament) 183 memberselected bydirect universal suffrage, on aproportional basisfor afour-year term Verwaltungsgerichtshof

(Administrative Court).

The highest administrative judicial body.Task: ensuring that the governmentadministration acts within the law

Verfassungsgerichtshof(Constitutional Court).

Supervises the constitutionality ofgovernment administration, laws andregulations, the accountability of thehighest officers

Minister of the InteriorBundesregierung (federal government),consisting of theBundeskanzler(federal chancellor),vice-chancellor and federal ministers, appointed bythefederal president

9LnderViennais both aLandand alocal authority

Landtag (regional parliament)

Members elected by direct universal suffrage, undera proportional system fo r 5 or 6 years. Elects theLandeshauptmann(Minister-President) and the other

members of the regional government. Has genuinelegislative power for areas of relevance to the Land

Office of the regional government (administrative apparatus supporting the Minister-President and the regional government)

Landeshauptmann(Minister-President)Elected by the regional parliament and sworn in by the federalpresident. Responsible for external representation of theLandchairing the sessions of theLand government. He is an officerof the indirect, mid-level federal administration and, within thescope of indirect federal administration, is bound by theinstructions of the federal government and its ministers. He isempowered to issue instructions to the other members of the

regional government and subordinate authorities within the fieldof indirect federal administration.

Landesregierung (regional government)Two systems:Proporzsystem (proportional system):

each party with a certain percentage of the seats in theLandtag, has the right to nominate one or more ministersfor the regional government (Burgenlan d, Upper Austria,Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia,).

Government/opposition: government (possibly coalition)

with an opposition (Voralberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Vienna).

Independent regional administrative senatesTake decisions on appeals in criminal and generaladministrative cases and on complaints againstacts of the direct executive authority.

Bezirkhauptmannschaft(district administrative authority)Monocraticadministrative authority on district level. Thedistrictcommissioner (Bezirkhauptmann) isappoin ted by theregionalgovernment and representsth efirst instancein matterscon cerningdirect and indirect federal administration and regional administration.Local responsibilititesmay be transferred by theGemeinden.

Brgermeister (mayor)Elected in mostLnderby direct universal suffrage, in theotherLnderby thelocal council. Amember of thelocalcouncil (although not necessarily in Viennaor Styria) andthelocal administrativeboard. Chairsmeetingsof thelocalcouncil and local administrativeboard. Officer of thelocalauthority in mattersfalling within theauthority's remit andof thenational administration for mattersfalli ng within theareaof devolved powers

Gemeinderat(local council)Electedb ydirect universal suffrageunderproportional representation. Themembershipreflectsthestrength of thevariouspoliticalgroups. Thememberselect the Gemeinde-vorstand(local administrativeboard).Highest local authority body for mattersfalling withinthe authority's remit.Not boundbyinstructions

2359 Gemeinden(local authorities)

Gemeindevorstand(local administrative board)Thepolitical partiesarerepresentedaccording their strength. Headed byamayor (Brgermeister). First instancefor all mattersfalling within theremitof thelocal council. Decision-makingpowersin financial,legalandeconomicmatters.

appointsand dismisses

responsible to theNationalrat

swearsin newofficeholders

hasgovernment delaying veto on thelawsof the Land

thefederal president can dissolvethe regionalparliament on aproposal from thefederal government,subject to theopinion of theBundesrat

carriesout ex post facto checks, supervisory authority

rulesoncomplaintsagainstindividualdecisionsafter proceduresvi s--visvarious local authoritybodieshavebeen exhausted

responsibleto theminister oftheinterior on policing matters

1989AustriaappliestojointheEEC

1.7.1934Adoptionof the Stndestaatliche Verfassung

(corporativestate constitution)

1929Consolidationof theduties

of thefederal president

1.10.1920TheFederal RepublicsConstitution isadopted

under theBundesverfassungsgesetz(B-VG)

1920Constitution of

the Federal Republic(amended in 1929).

The principle of localself-government isenshrined in the

Constitution

1994 + 1996Federal government

drafts on reformof the federal state

(not yet enactedby federalparliament)

1988Amendment to

the Constitution:theBundesrat(Federal

Council upper chamberof parliament) is given

extra powers -Lnder given the power to

conclude internationaltreaties

1985TheLndersubmit a

new list ofdemands

8.10.1992Political

agreement onreform ofthe federal

state

1984Amendment to the

Federal Constitution:consolidation of therole of theBundesrat

and the powers oftheLnder

1983Amendment

to the FederalConstitution: scaling

down of federalgovernment

influence on theLnder

1976Lndersubmit a

list ofdemands

1974Amendment

to the FederalConstitution;federalismenhanced

1938-45Lnder

(federal regions)replaced by

German Gaue(regions)

haspowerstodissolve

caninitiate dismissal

1988Amendment to theFederalConstitution empowerstheLnderto concludetreat ies

with statesbordering on Austria,or their constituent states

28.7.1914First World War

begins

Intermediate

level

Regional

level

Local

level

National

level

1814-1815Congressof Vienna

1867Austro-Hungarian

Empire

he role of local/regionaluthorities in Europeanntegration andross-border relationsexamples)

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

1960AustriajoinsEFTA

1.11.1993Maastricht Treatyon

EuropeanUnionentersintoforce

12.6.1994Referendum onAustrian accession

totheEU(66% in favour)

electsthemembersoftheBundesrat

15.1.1999Consultation mechanismand stability pact between

Bund(federation) andLnder.Principle: no transfer of

financial burdens betweenBund(federation) andLnder

without agreement "the purchaser pays"

1998Lnderdrafton reform of the

federal state (Landadministrative

courts)

99 Bezirk sverwaltungsbehrdenDistricts, decentralised administrativestructure of the Bund and the Land

situation as of January2005, updatedbyStudiesServiceof theCommitteeof theRegionswith theacceptanceof National Delegation

14 towns with their own charter + Vienna:local administrativematters arede alt withby themayor

1994Article23(d) oftheConstitution,participation oftheLnderandlocal authorities

in Europeanintegration issues

1995EuRegioSalzburg

BerchtesgadenerLand

Traunsteinfounded

January1995AustriajoinstheEU

derationlevel)

theregional parliament appointsthe governor and theregional government

supervisoryright

30.6.2003Establishment of a

Constitutional Conventionresponsible for drawing upa single text to replace the

variety of laws and constitutionalprovisions governing, and

revising the criteria for,the allocation of powers,tax mechanisms and the

federal and regionalsupervisory system

appoints thedistrict commissioner

23.9.1987Ratification of the

European Charter ofLocal Self-Government

(entered into force1 September 1988)

toricalkground

Own powers: general clause. The local authorities have general responsibility for issues which are exclusively orpredominantly local. Their main tasks are:

Devolved powers: the local authorities carry out the duties delegated to them by the federations and theLand. The localauthority implements state administrative tasks. The mayor is responsible for their implementation to the federalauthorities or the Land.

the appointment of localofficers and public servants

local police local traffic management

supervision of local planningregulations

local health regulations local spatial planning

measures to promote andsupport community activity:theatre, social services

regulations on public events

Responsibilities Article 10 of the Federal Constitution lists the reserved legislative powers of the federation; foreignpolicy,finances, trade policy,public safety,transport, labour law etc.

Sole legislative power and administrative authority on these areas.

Article 11 of the Constitution:legislation u n d (Federation) implementation Land (e.g. road traffic, citizenship,environmental impact assessments)

Article 12 of the Constitution lists the Federations legislative powers (framework laws) which each Landis empoweredto implement via implementing laws (services for the needy,young people, the public at large,land reform).

The overwhelming majority of legislative acts are carried out at federal level.

Article 11 of the Constitution:The Lnderare responsible for the implementation of certain federal laws.

Article 12 of the Constitution:Adoption and enforcement of implementing laws for federal framework laws.

Article 15 of the Constitution: general clauses:the Landis responsible for any area of legislation or implementationwhich is not specifically within the purview of the u n d (Federation), e.g. spatial planning, environmental protection,

planning law,transport. Indirect federal administration:Federal laws are implemented by the Minister-President and theauthorities subordinate to him. The Minister-President acts as an officer of the federal government and is bound by theinstructions of the federal government or minister.

Implementing powers. May issue decisions


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Devolution in Belgium

EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the



4/60

1893First revisionoftheConstitution

1921Belgium-Luxembourg

economicunion

5.2.1945Belgium fullyliberated asSeco nd

WorldWar approachesits end

26.6.1945Belgium joinsUN

April 1949Belgium

joinsNATO

1.8.1950KingLopoldIII

abdicates

toricalkground

1836Organisation

of theprovincesand

municipalities

1932Brusselsbilin gual,

elsewheremonolingual

1963Act concerningtheuseof the

national languages;establishment of four

language regions;moreuseof thesinglelanguageper region

principle

1962Language

frontierestablished

olution process

Role played by territorial authoritiesn promoting European integration

and cross-border relations (for information)

level

tary Belgian State

Senate(Upper House)

House ofRepresentatives

(Lower House)

Unitary Belgian state

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

SupervisorypowersSupervisorypowers Supervisorypowers

Provinces Provinces Provinces

19Brussels

municipalities

Flemishmunicipalities

Walloonmunicipalities

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

GovernmentKing(pre-1970)

1919Straightforwarduniversal

suffragefor alladult malecitizens

level

level

level

level

4.10.1830Proclamationofgianindepende nce

7.2.1831New

Constitution

1908Belgium annexes

theCongo

12.3.1950Referendum onthereturnof

KingLopold III (57.6% yes)

1921Universal suffragefor women

inmunicipal elections

1948Universal suffrageforwomenin all elections

1948Benelux

CustomsUnion

1970Constitutionrevised.

Launchof thede-federalisationprocess.

Establishment ofthecommunitiesandtheregions

Devolution in Belgium1970

Belgium considersbecominga Federal State

1988Eighthgovernment under PrimeMinister Martens

(Christian-Social partiesin power)

July1999First Verhofstadt

government

March1992First Dehaenegove rnment(centre-left government)

Autumn1992Ratificationof

theMaastricht Treaty

31.7.1993Deathof KingBaudoinI;

Albert II crownedKing of Belgium

13.6.1999EU,regional and

communityelectionsHistoricalbackground

Devolution process

1975Cutbackinthe

number ofmunicipalities(mergingof

municipalities)

1977Egmont Pact:

Provincial arrangements threatened by

growthoffederalism

1980Constitutionrevised.Communitiesgiven

morepowers. Regionsgivenlegislative

powers

1983Reform of the

German-speakingcommunity

1984Establishment

of theCourt of

Arbitration

1988Constitutionrevised.

Regionsand communitiesgivenmorepowers.

Brussels-CapitalRegionset up

1989Regional and

community fundingact

1993Constitution

revisedtoroundoff theStates federal

structureandbicameral system

reformed

1993Special act finalisingthefederal structure:

joint municipal authorities(intercommunales ) placed

under theexclusivecontrol of the

regions

1970Mutual assistance

agreementsondisaster relief

withLuxembourg

1980MadridEU framework

agreementoncross -border

cooperationbetweenloca l

andregional authorities;thisagreement entered

intoforceon22.12.1982

1986Beneluxagreemen t

oncross-bordercooperation;

thisagreement enteredintoforceon

1.4.1991

5.5.1993Special act

placingforeignpolicy

onafederal footing

8.3.1994Cooperationagreement between

theFederal State,the communitiesandtheregionsontheproceduresforconcluding joint treaties; cooperationagreement onBelgian representation

at theEU Council of Ministers

30.6.1994Frameworkagreement

onhowtheFederal State,thecommunitiesandtheregionsaretoberepresentedoninternational

organisationsasregardsareasof joint responsibility

5.4.1995Cooperation

agreementbetweentheFederalStateandthethreeregionsof Belgium

oninternationalenvironmental

policy

18.5.1995Cooperationagreements

concerningthestatusof representativesof thecommunities

andregionsinBelgiandiplomaticandcons ular posts

Present Belgian Federal State

Senate (Upper House) House of Representatives (Lower House)150 directly elected members

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

Supervisorypowers

GovernmentKing

71 members (40 directly elected,21 community senators,

10 coopted senators)

German-speakingcommunity

Cooperationbetween

thegovernments

Cooperationbetween

thegovernments

Cooperationbetween

thegovernments

CourtofArbitration

thiscourtdealswithconflictsbetweentherespectivelegislativepowersoftheFederalState,

theCommunitiesandtheRegions

Brussels-Capital Region

5 Walloonprovinces

Possiblees tablishment ofjoint municipal authorities

Possiblees tablishment ofjoint municipal authorities

Supervisesthemunicipal

administration

Supervisesthemunicipal

administration

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

1989Threespecial actsonextendingthe

jurisdictionof the Courtof Arbitration

onthe Brusselsinstitutionson fundingtheregions

andcommunities

Parliament25 directly

electedmembers

Governmentthree

to fivemember s,including

thePresident

French community

Parliament94 members

(75 from theWalloon Parliament;

19 from theParliament of the

Brussels-Capital Region)

Governmentmax. eightmembers,including

thePresident

Joint Community CommissionCouncil: 89membersfrom theParliament

of theBrussels-Capital RegionCollege: 5members from the

Government of theBrussels-Capital Region

5 Flemishprovinces

ProvincialCouncil

Permanentrepresentation


elected members

Governmentmax.nine members,

including thePresident

Parliament89 directly elected

members

Governmentfivemembers

Threeregionalsecretaries of State

Walloon Region

Commissionof theFrenchCommunity Commissionof theFlemishCommunity

Collegethreeministers

andtwo secretariesof State

Collegetwoministers

anda secretaryof State

FlemishCommunity

FlemishRegion

(nowmerged withtheFlemishCommunity)


electedmembers

Governmentmax. 11 members,

includingthe President

Council72membersfrom the

Parliament of theBrussels-Capital Region

Council17membersfromtheParliament of

theBrussels-Capital RegionCommunity

level

Provincial

level

Regional

level

Municipal

level

National

level

ProvincialCouncil

Permanentrepresentation

May1993Belgium becomes

aFederal State

1.11.1993Entryintoforceof theTreatyon

EuropeanUnion (Maastricht)

1.5.1999Entryintoforceof

theAmsterdam Treaty

Government isanswerable totheHouse of Representatives

1957Belgium joins

theEEC

30.6.1960BelgianCongo

becomesinde pendent

21.7.1951KingBaudoinI

accedestothethrone

1952Belgium joinsthe European

Coal andSteel Community(ECSC)

Current situation asof January2005,updated byStudiesServiceof the Committeeof theRegions

18.5.2003Federal elections

29.10.2004Signatureof theTreaty

establishingthe Constitutionfor Europe

Walloon municipalities

262 Walloonmunicipalities(including the9 german speaking municipalities)

MunicipalCouncil

Collegeof mayorand aldermen Mayor

Brussels municipalities

19 Brussels municipalities

MunicipalCouncil

Collegeof mayorand aldermen Mayor

Flemish municipalities

308 Flemish municipalities

MunicipalCouncil

Collegeof mayorandaldermen Mayor

1960Benelux

EconomicUnion

1.2.2003EntryintoforceoftheTreatyof Nice

12.7.2003Second

Verhofstadt government

1980Establishment of

cross-border cooperationbetweenSaa rland,

Lorraine,Luxembourg,Rhineland-Palatinate

andWallonia

15.10.1985Signingof the

EuropeanCh arterof Local

Self-Government

1 senator 10 senators

10senators

2000-2001State reforms.

New powers for federatedpolitical authorities, new funding

arrangements for the communities,regionalisation of the law on the

municipalities and provinces(entry into force in 2002)

12August 2003Special lawamendingthe

special lawof 8 August 1980on institutionalreforms:

newpowersfor federatedpolitical authorities(import, export and

transit of arms)

19March2004Lawgranting

foreign nationalstheright to vote

in municipalelections

Federal responsibilities(Legislative power authority)

- Defence - Econo mic policy*- T he l eg al s ys te m - E ne rg y*- F in an ce * - E xt er na l t ra de *- S oc ia l se cu ri ty - A gr ic ul tu re *- Pu bl ic he al th * - Em pl oy me nt *- Monetary pol icy - Transpor t*- International relations* - Language use*- Ta xa ti on * - Ai d t o d ev el op in g c ou nt ri es *

(*Shared responsibilities)

Responsibilities of the communities(Legislativepower:thecommunitiesmayissuecommunitydecreeswhichhavetheforceoflaw; thereisnohierarchicalrelationshipbetweenthecommunitiesandthefederalauthority)

-Useoflanguages*-Protectionofpublichealth

andyoungpeople-Culture-Education andtraining

-International relations*-Themedia,includingradioandTV

-Social assistance-Research anddevelopmentis

theexclusiveresponsibility ofthecommunities,asis foreignpolicyon suchmatters

(*Sharedresponsibilities )

Responsibilities of the regions:economic areas

-Urbanpolicyandspatialplanning-Energy*-Publichousing-Environment-Economypolicy*-Publicworks(infrastructure)-Internationalrelations*-Taxation*- Supervision of municipal and provincial law

-Transport*-Employment*-Externaltrade*-Agriculture*-Researchanddevelopmentis the

exclusiveresponsibilityoftheregions,asis foreignpolicyonsuchmattersandtheimport,exportandtransitof arms

Administrativeresponsibilitiesof themunicipalities-Maintenanceofpublicorder-Organisationof elections-Registryofbirth,marriageanddeaths,

issuingad ministrativedocum ents-Planningpermission-Maintenanceofroadinfrastructures-Socialwelfare-Generalaffairsofthe municipalities

(*Shared responsibilities)

Administrative responsibilities of the provinces-Urbanplanning-Maintenanceofinfrastructure-Initiativepowersineducation,cultureandsport-Responsibleforimplementingallfederal,

communityand regionallegislationsandregulations-Generalaffairsofthe provinces

(Legislativepower: theregions mayissueregional decreeswhichhavetheforceoflaw;thereisnohierarchicalrelationshipbetween theregionsand thefederal authority)


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Devolution in Bulgaria

EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the



6/60

Regional

level

Local

level

National

level

|01/02/2003

EntryintoforceoftheTreaty of Nice

22/01/2002Georgi Parvanov,

President of theRepublic|

29/10/2004Signatureby25 Member Statesof the Treaty

establishingthe Constitutionfor Europe|

|10-12/12/1999

Helsinki EuropeanCouncil; EUaccessionnegotiationsopened withBulgaria

14/12/1995ApplicationforEUmembership

||

1994Associatemember of theWEU

(WesternEuropean Union)

Devolution in Bulgaria

toricalkground

|28/07/1913

Treatyof Bucharest;partition ofMacedonia; Bulgariareceivesthe westernpart of theterritory (Pirin)

1929Zvenogroupformedby republicanintellectualsandarmy

memberswhoadvocatedforminga federationwithYugoslavia.|

|19/05/1934

Zvenogroupcoupd'tat

05/09/1944Soviet troopsenterBulgaria

||

08/09/1946Referendum abolishes

themonarchy

15/09/1946Proclamationof thePeople's

Republicof Bulgaria(1947-1989)|

|02/1947

TreatyofParis;Bulgarialosesitsconquests, but maintainsits borders.

14/12/1955UNmembership

||

01/1990AmendmentstotheSocialist

Constitution

12/07/1991Current

Constitutionadopted|

|07/05/1992

Membershipof theCouncil of Europe

volution process

1995Law on

spatial planning(amended 2001)

02/06/1998Signature of theCouncil of Europeframework convention oncross-border co-operation (theso-calle d "Madrid Convention"

of 21/05/1980) (Entry into forceon 08/08/1999).

03/10/94Signatureof theCouncil of Europe'sCharter

for Local Self-Government(entry into forceon the 1st of September 1995)

President of the Republicelectedfor a five-year term bydirect universal suffrage

National Assembly (Narodno Subranie) (legislative power)

240 members elected for afour-year term by direct universalsuffrage with a secret ballot

President and Vice-President;elected by the members of theAssembly during the first sessionfollowing legislative elections;the President of the Assemblymay be assisted by a maximumof 5 vice-presidents.

17/09/1991Local self-government

and local administrationAct (amended several

times, notably in1995,1999,2003)

1996Law on

municipalproperty

Involvement of territorialauthorities in Europeanintegration and cross-borderrelations (for information)

situation asof January2005, updated byStudiesService of theCommitteeof the Regionswith acceptanceof theMission of Bulgaria to theEuropean Union

Government (executive power)

Prime Minister;elected anddismissed by theNational Assembly

Ministries,including one withoutportfolio; elected anddismissed by theNational Assembly onproposals from thePrime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister(s);appointed and dismissedby the Prime Minister.

Constitutional Court;

responsible for checking the constitutionalityof laws. It comprises 12 judges, four of whomare appointed every three years for a nine-yearterm. Four judges are elected by the NationalAssembly, four are appointed by the Presidentof the Republic and four are elected jointly bythe judges of the Supreme Court of Appealsand Supreme Administrative Court.

28 regions (oblasti) (since the reform of 1 January 1999)

Decentralized state administrations responsiblefor implementing state policy at regional level.

Regional governor (oblastenupravitel), appointedby the government, overseesthe implementation of statepolicy at regional level

The Deputy regionalgovernors are appointedby the Prime Minister

264 Municipalities (Obstina )

Municipal council (Obstinski savet);elected for a four-year term by directuniversal suffrage with proportionalrepresentation.

The president of the municipalcouncil is elected by the membersof the municipal council

Mayor (Kmet);elected for a four-year termby direct universal suffragein a two-round system.

3,850 Mayoralties and districts

The sub-municipal level comprisesmayoralties and districts in the cities(24 in Sofia, the capital, 6 in Plovdivand 5 in Varna). Towns of more than100,000 inhabitants may establishdistricts.

Mayoralty Mayor(Kmet na kmetstvo);elected by direct universal suffrage,if inhabitance are over 250

District Mayor(Rayonen Kmet);elected by the MunicipalCouncil

level

level

level

TheNatio nal Assembly electsand dismissesthegovernment on proposalsfrom thePrimeMinister

Thegovernm ent appoints theregional governors

1995Local

Elections Act,amended in

1996

1996Consultation

of thePeople Act

1996Bulgarian

municipalities unitedin the National Association

of Municipalities inthe Republic of Bulgaria

(NAMRB)

2001Cooperation

Agreement betweenthe Council of Ministers

of Bulgaria and theNational Association of

Municipalities(NAMRB)

2002Starting of financial

decentralization aimingat increasing the

financial independenceof municipalities

(various legislativedocuments)

1998Municipal

budgets Act

1998Laws on

local taxes andlocal fees

1999National plan

of regionaldevelopment

2004Law for

the regionaldevelopment

01/03/1993EU/Bulgaria

AssociationAgreement|

The Bulgarian Constitution states that the "regions shall be an administrative territorial unit entrusted with

the conduct of a regional policy,the implementation of state government on a local level, and the ensuringof harmony of national and local interests" (art. 142).

Administration in the regions is provided by a regional governor, aided by a regional administration(art. 143.1). The regional governor ensures "the implementation of the state's policy" (art. 143.3).

Administrative responsibilities in Municipalities

Register of births, marriagesand deaths

Sewage Management of drinking

water Household waste

Public areas Cemeteries Roads and bridges of local

importance Urban public transport Housing

Spatial planning Education primary and

secondary schools Health municipal hospitals Culture and sport Social services

Mayoralties and districts

Mayoralties and districts are component of the administrative and territorial units of municipalities, createdby Municipal Councils.

The Mayor of a mayoralty or district shall:

Responsibilities

National level responsibilities in all areas.

implement the municipalbudget

organise public works appoint and dismiss municipal

staff improve and rehabilitate the

environment

maintain population and civilregisters

organise the provision ofadministrative services

preserve public order anddefence from disasters andaccidents

represent the mayoralty ordistrict

may be assigned otherfunctions by the municipalitymayor or an act of theParliament


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Devolution in Cyprus

EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the



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Regional

level

Local

level

National

level

15.11.1983:Unilateral Declarationof independenceof thesocalledTurkish

Republicof NorthernCyprus(TRNC),tothis dayrecognisedby Turkeyandcondemned bythe UNSecurityCouncil (Resolution541/83)

14/7/2003:Ratificationof theTreaty

of Accessionto theEuropeanUnion2003

1.1.1988:2ndstage of theAssociation Agreement that referstothecompletionof the CustomsUnionwiththeEU

01.02.2003:entryintoforce

of theNice Treaty

16/02/2003:TassosPapado poulos,

President of theRepublic

16-17/04/2003:signatureof theTreatyof accession inAthens

29.10.2004:Signatureof theTreaty

establishingtheConstitutionfor Europe

1.05.2004:AccessiontotheEuropeanUnion

3.7.1990:CyprusappliestojointheEU

20.7.1974:TheTurksinvadeCyprus,fearing that it isto beannexed

byGreece (40,000Turksoccupy37% of theisland); Cyprusdividedbythe"Attilaline"alsoknownasthe"greenline"

13.2.1975:Thenorthof theisland,occupiedbyTurkey,is

declaredthe"TurkishFederatedStateof Cyprus"

Devolution in Cyprus

ogress of devolution

1999:Community Law No. 86(1)

of 1999 repealing and replacingthe Villages Law Chapter 243

and the Village AuthoritiesLaw Chapter 244

1964:Municipal

Corporations Law,Chapter 240 and

MunicipalitiesLaw No 64

1960:Adoption

of theConstitution

President of the Republicelectedfor 5 yearsbydirect universal suffrage,

power exercised throughthe Council of Ministers,investedby theHouseof Representatives

House of Representatives (legislative power)

Composed of 80 members,56 of whom are elected by theGreek Cypriot community and24 by the Turkish Cypriotcommunity

President;elected by the members andfrom among them

October 1985:Law

No.111 on municipalities,repealing and replacing the

Municipal Corporations LawChapter 240 and theMunicipalities Law

No 64

level

level

level

1571 - 1878:Ottomanrule

1878:TurkeycedesCyprustoGreat Britaininexchange

forBritishsupportagainsttheRussians

osition of regional and local authoritiesn European integrationnd cross-border relationsfor information)

situation asof January2005, updatedby StudiesServiceof theCommitteeof theRegions

1914:CyprusisannexedbyGreat Britain

whenTurkey alliesitself toGermany

1923:Treatyof Lausanne; Turkeygives

upall claimstoCyprus

1925:Cyprusisdeclared

aCrowncolony

1931:GreekCypriot uprisingdemanding

unionwithGreece(Enosis)

1878-1960:Britishrule

1915:Great BritainofferstocedeCyprustoGreece,on

conditionthat Greecejoins thewar against Germany

1950:Referendum; 96% of GreekCypriotsin favour of Enosis

1954:Greececallson theUNtoapplythe

principleof self-determinationin Cyprus

February 1959:ZurichandLondonagreements signed(betweenUK,

Greece,Turkeyandthe twoCypriot communities) rulingouttheannexationof theislandby athird countryor itspartition

16.8.1960:Withdrawal of Great Britainand Cypriot independence;

CyprusjoinstheUN (20.9.1960) andtheCommonwealth

20.5.1961:Cyprusjoinsthe

Council of Europe

1955-59:Anticolonial struggle

1963:TurkishCypriot uprising

againsttheState

Government (executive power)

Vice-President Ministers, appointedby the President of theRepublic Republic andthe Vice-President

Supreme Court (judicial power)

Composed of 13 judges, one of whom is thePresident of the Court; this court rules on theconstitutionality of legislation

6 districts

District Officer;appointed by the Public Service Commission,the District Officer is a public servant that represents the Statein the district

33 municipalities (covering approx. 65% of the population)

Municipal Council;elected for 5 years by direct universalsuffrage under a system of proportionalrepresentation, the number of councillorsvaries from 8 to 26 depending on thesize of the municipality

Mayor(executive body);elected directly for 5 years byuniversal suffrage by a one-roundsecret ballot; the Mayor chairs theMunicipal Council

Deputy Mayor;elected from the membersof the Council by secret ballot

353 Community Councils (covering approximately 35% of the population)

Community Council is made up of the Presidentof the Community, a Deputy President and threeto seven other members (depending on thepopulation of the Community), elected for 5 years

There are provisions for the creation of "complexof communities" and for the creation of twoseparate councils in those communities comprisingboth Greeks and Turks

19.12.1972:EEC/Cyprusassoc iation

agreement signed

Administrative Committee;members appointed by theMunicipal Council

25.6.1973:Foundingmembe r

of theOSCE

15.7.1974:Coupaga instPresident Makarios

organisedbytheGreekjunta

8.10.1986:Cyprus signs the Council of

Europe's Charter forLocal Self-Government

(entry into force 1.9.1988)

ThegovernmentisappointedbythePresident oftheRepublic

toricalkground

District officers are responsible for applying government policy at this level

Municip al resp onsibil ities

Public health Social, health and medical

services Water supply and management Maintenance and construction

of bridges and roads

Street lighting Sewage management and

treatment Waste management and

treatment Regulation of trade and business

Cemeteries and funeralservices

Abattoi r s Municipal markets

Public health Road construction and maintenance Waste management and treatment Road maintenance Street lighting

Community Councils' responsibilities

Responsibilities

National legislative powers in all areas


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Devolution in the Czech Republic

EUROPEAN UNION

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|13-14/06/2003Referendum onEU

Accession (77,30% yes)

|29.10.2004

Signatureof theTreaty establishingtheConstitution for Europe

|12 March 1999Member of NATO

|30 June 1993

Member of theCouncil ofEurope

|1 January 1993Member of OSCE

16/17.4.2003Signatureof theTreatyof

accessioninAthens|

01.2.2003Entryintoforce

of theTreatyof Nice||

1.05.2004Signatureof theTreatyof

accessioninAthens|

1 January 1993"Velvet Divorce"; Czechand Slovak

federationsplits; CzechRep ubliccreated|

2 February 1993VclavHavel President of theCzech

Republic; re-electedon20January1998|

6 October 1993EU/CzechRepublic Association

Agreement signed|

|2003

President of theRepublic:VaclavKlaus

Regional

level

Local

level

National

level

toricalkground

|18 October 1918

Czechoslovak Republic(1918-1938) basedontheplesof thePittsburgh andCleveland agreements

29 February 1920Czechoslovak

constitutionadopted|

|1924

TwoFranco-Czechoslovak treatiessigned;Frenchmilitary aid

16 May 1935Soviet-Czechoslovaktreaty; Soviet militaryaid

subordinateto theFranco-Czecho slovakagreements|

|29-30 September 1938

MunichAgreement:SudetenlandiscededtoHitler

January 1945RedArmyliberateseasternSlovakia,pre-war Czechoslovak staterestored

||

24 October 1945Czechoslovakia founder

member of theUN

1946Communist

electionvictory|

|28 February 1948

Communist coupd'tat inPrague takesCzechoslovakiaintothe"easternbloc"

14 May 1955Founder member of

theWarsawPact|

|1960

Newsocialistconstitutionadopted

1968"PragueSpring"; Dubcek's

"Socialismwithahumanface"|

|August 1968

Assault of CzechoslovakiabyWarsaw Pact Tank

1969Federal system introducedgiving eachofthetwo republicstheir owninstitutions

||

November 1989 - 1993"VelvetRevolution"(collapse ofcommunism);

CzechandSlovakfederation

29 December 1989 -20 July 1992VclavHavel President of theCzech

andSlovakfederation|

|1 July 1992WarsawPact

dissolved

16 December 1992New

constitutionadopted|

|1992

AssociateP artner of theWesternEuropean Union

Devolution in the Czech Republic

cess of devolution

volvement of territorial authoritiesEuropean integrationd cross-border relationsr information)

President of the Republicelected by the two chambers ofParliament for a five-year term;

the President may not serve morethan two consecutive terms

situation asof September2003

6254 municipalities (obec)

Government (executive branch),the Senate cannot be dissolved

Prime Minister; appointed by the President ofthe Republic

Deputy Prime Minister(s); they are responsible forrepresenting the Prime Minister in his absence

Ministers (one without portfolio); appointed by the Presidentof the Republic at the proposal of the Prime Minister

Constitutional Court(judicial branch)

Comprising 15 judges appointed fora 10-year term by the President of theRepublic by agreement with the Senate,the Constitutional Court is responsiblefor ensuring that laws are in keepingwith the Constitution

1990Act No. 425on governingdistrict offices

1990Act No. 367

onmunicipalities

1990Act No. 418

on the capital,Prague

2003Abolition of the

76 district offices(okres)created

in 1990

1992New Constitution

adopted, Chapter VIIlaysdown the basicprinciplesof localself-government

1 January 1993Introduction of a local

tax system enablinglocal authorities toimpose and collect

local taxes

1998Adoption of

Constitutional ActNo. 347/1997

establishing higherlevel self-governing

territorial units (kraje)starting from

2000

Bicameral Parliament (legislative branch) ( Poslaneck snemovna)

Chamber of Deputies;elected under the proportionalrepresentation system by universalsuffrage for a four-year term, the200 deputies elect and can dismissa president (speaker) andvice-president (deputy speaker)

Senate;elected for a six-year term, onethird of its members are renewedevery two years; the 81 senatorselect and can dismiss a president(speaker) and vice-president(deputy speaker)

The 14 regions, including Pragcapital, have been set up by thevote adopting Constitutional ActNo. 347/1997 which came intoforce on the 1st of January 2000.

Regional Assembly:the deputies of the regionalassemblies are directly electedon a proportional basis for afour-year term. The deputieselect a Regional Executive.

The Regional Executive iselected and dismissed by theRegional Assembly.

Municipal council (decision-making body);elected by direct secret ballot for a four-yearterm. It decides how many members should siton the committee in accordance with the sizeof the population and area of the municipality.

Municipal committee (executive body);having between 5 and 55 members, itsmeetings are chaired by the mayor or thedeputy mayor. The mayor and the membersof the executive council are elected by themembers of the municipal council and fromamong them.

Municipal bureau;made up by the mayor and the municipaladministration (deputy mayor and secretary)

25 May 1998Signatureof theEuropean

Charter of Local Self-Government(cf. Council of Europe)(entry into forceon the1st of September 1999)

24 June 1998Signature of theEu ropean Outline

Convention on TransfrontierCooperation between territorial

Communities or Authorities(Council of Europe) (Entry into

forceon the21 March 2000)

1990Abolition of the8 regions (kraje)created in 1962

2000Act 129/2000

on establishmentof regions

2000Act 131/2000 onthe capital Prague

(replacingAct 418/1990)

2000Act 147/2000on governing

districts offices(replacing

Act 425/1990)

2000Act 248/2000on support to

regionaldevelopment

2000Act 128/2000

onmunicipalities

ThePresident of theRepublicappointsan d dismisses

thegovernment

TheParliament electsthepresident of theRepub lic

ThePresident of the Republiccandissolve theChamber of deputies

TheGove rnment isresponsibleto theChambe r of Deputies

ThePresident of theRepublicappointsthejudgesby agreement with the Senate

14 regions (kraje)

level

level

level

14 Regions (kraje)According to Constitutional Act 347/1997 regional responsibilities have to be set up by a specific law.

Municipalities (obec)

General municipal responsibilities

Water management and treatment Urban heating Waste processing Management and maintenance of open spaces Ceme ter ie s H ea lt h Social assistance and youth policy

Management of municipal infrastructures Management of municipal roads Economic promotion Environmental protection Spatial planning S po rt Fire-fighting and prevention

Responsibilities transferred by the State to certain municipalities

Education (pre-school and primary) Management of municipal transport

(urban, road and rail) C ul tu re

A gr icu lture Energy supply P ubl ic or de r H ou si ng

Responsibilities

National legislative responsibilities in all areas.


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25 Counties

The constitutional principle

of local autonomy was hardly

applied until the beginning

of the 20th century

Powers

wers

wers

volution process

King/Queen

1849Constitutional monarchy

1918Universal suffrage,

womengiven the right to vote

1949Founder member of NATO

Landsting(Upper Chamber =legislative power)elected by indirect universal suffrage

Folketing(Lower Chamber =legislative power)elected by direct universal suffrage

Parliament

25 Amtskommuner(Counties)

1388Kommuner (Municipalities)

Administrative differences betweenurban and rural bodies subsisted until 1970

Rural municipalities Urban muicipalities

1948Autonomouss tatus

for theFaroeIslands

1849Act strengthening

thepowersof local and

regionalauthorities

Beginningofthe20th century:

transfer ofpowersto

localgovernment

egional and locallevel

Nationallevel

1661olute monarchy

1944National referendum on independencefor Iceland, which becomes a republic

1948Autonomous status

for Faroe Islands

Government

appointed

answerableto

Parliament

considerable supervisory powers

ntral government in Denmark (pre-1953)

torical background

ore adoption of theernment act in 1970

ole played by territorialuthorities in promotinguropean integration and

ross-border relationsor information)

1962Treaty of Helsingfors:

providedthelegalbasisforco-operation between theNordic statesinthefollowingareas:legalmatters,

cultural affairs,physical infrastructureand environmental regulations

1970Establishment of aGerm an-Danish

committee for promotingcross-frontierco-operation

(thiscommitteeiscurrentlyresponsiblef or implementing

Interreg II)

Devolution in Denmark

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Devolution process

King/Queenwho appoints the Prime Minister

1959Member of EFTA

14.1.1972MargretheI I succeeds Frederik IX

1.1.1973Member of EEC

1985GreenlandleavestheEEC

following areferendum

27.2.198656.2% of electorateen dorses

theSingleEuropean Act

2.6.199250.7% of theelectoratere jects

theTreaty of Maastricht

18.5.1993SecondreferendumontheTreaty

ofMaastricht:56.7%sayyes

1953Revision of theconsti tution:

administrativef reedomfor thelocal authorities

becomesaconstitutional principle

1.4.1970Law on theseparation of localand regional authorities: mergers

Local government act:extension of thepowers

of local government

GovernmentMinister for Internal Affairs

Folketing(Parliament with legislative power)elected by direct universal suffrage

A finance committee(mandatory) chaired by

the mayor, presentsthe budget

General Council:members elected by direct universal suffrage,

chaired by a mayor (elected by members of the council)

14 Amtskommuner (Counties)

At least one additional standing committee,usually committees dealing with

healthandsocial welfare educationandsocial affairs public works hosp itals theenvironment servicesprovidedbythe county

Administrative department headed by a director

State county office:1 per county

268 Kommuner (municipalities)Municipal council (District Council): memberselected by direct universal suffrage; councils

headed by mayors (elected by council members)

At least one(usuallybetween4-6) additionalstandingcommittee,generallycommitteesdealingwith:social welfarepublic worksthe environmenteducation andculturalaffairs

A financecommittee

(mandatory), chairedby themayor,

presentsthe budget

Administrativedepartment headed bythedirector for administration

GREENLAND

OnethirdoftheDanishpopulation

Greenland Assemblylegislative power

se lf-governingCeased tobeamember of theEC in 198519 79: Self-governing status18 municipalities

FAROE ISLANDS Faroe islands Assembly Self-governing Non-member of the EC Self-governing since 1948 50 municipalities

1977Co-operation agreement

between theNordicstates,co-operation between

municipalities

1980ECFramework Agreement

on cross-frontierco-operation betweenterritorial authorities,

signed in Madrid

1992Act empowering thecountiesandmunicipalitiesto takepartin thedevelopment of industry

and commerce(inter aliathroughEUprogrammes) and in the

draftingof regional programmes

1994/1995Agroup of municipalities

set up thelocal governmentexport network (Det kommunale

Eksportnetvoerk) in responseto growing interest intechnical study visits

Defence policyand foreign policy

are theresponsibility

of thecentral government

City of FrederiksbergPowers and responsibilities

of the countiesand municipalities

City of CopenhagenPowers and responsibilities

of the countiesand municipalities

2 membersof theFolketing,elected bydirect universal suffrage

After the 1970 municipal code

Verification ofthelegalityofacts(aposteriori)

Verification ofthelegalityofacts(aposteriori)

Verification ofthe legality

of acts(aposteriori)

Verification ofthe legality

of acts(aposteriori)

Verification ofthelegalityofacts

(aposteriori)

Appointsoneprefectper county

Elects4

members

Counties

Prefect: officialappointed by the state

4 members elected fromamongst the membersof the County Council

Regional and locallevel

Nationallevel

Municipalities

1979Autonomy for Greenland

1.11.1993Entry into forceof the Treaty

on European Union (Maastricht)

28.9.2000Referendum on joining

theeur ozone: 53.2% say no

29.10.2004Signing of theTreaty establishing

theConstitu tion for Europe

1.5.1999Entryintoforceof

theAmsterdam Treaty

Current situation asof January2005, updated byStudiesService of theCommitteeof the Regionswith acceptanceof National Delegation

2.10.1972Referendum on

EECme mbership: 63.3% say yes

28.5.1998Referendumonthe

AmsterdamTreaty:55.1%sayyes

1.2.2003TheTreatyofNice

entersintoforce

29.5.200173.8% of theelectorate on

theisl and of Bornholm approvethemerger of the island'sfive

municipalities andonecounty

January 1993Theresun d region

isset up cross-bordercooperation between

Copenhagen andMalm (Sweden)

1.10.2002Thegovernm ent

establishesa"structurecommission"to producer ecommendations on the

shapeof theentirepublicsector(including thequestion of further

mergersbetw een counties andmunicipalities)

1.1.2003Themerger of

Bornholm's fivemunicipalities andonecount y takes

effect

2.12.2004TheGovernment

published theprop osalon structural reformof the publicsector

Spring 2003Changesinthelawconcerning

local governmentrule

3.2.1988Ratification of the

European Charter ofLocal Self-Government

(entry into force:1 September 1988)

March 1997Establishment of the

B7 Group - co-operationbetweenthe Balticislands

Present-day devolved Danish state (since 1953)

Historical background

Responsibilities:TheStatehasfull legislativepowers(exceptwithregardtoGreen-landandtheFaroe Islands,whichhavetheirownlegislativepower)Thestatehassole responsibilityformattersrelatingto:Police,defenseandadministrationofjusticeForeignaffairsanddevelopmentaidHighereducationand researchSickpay,childbenefitandoldagepensionsUnemploymentinsuranceandlabourinspectionCertain culturalactivitiesTradeandindustrysubsidiesTheStatehasresponsibilityfor administrationat nationallevel.

Administrativeresponsibilitiesofthe counties

HospitalsandhealthinsuranceSecondaryeducationandeducationleadingtotheHigher

PreparatoryExamination (hjereforberedelseseksamen)Careof mentallyandphysicallydisabledpeople

Certain culturalactivitiesRegionalpublictransportSpatialplanning(regionalplans)Protectionof natureandenvironment

Administrativeresponsibilitiesofthe municipalities

Childcareandcare ofelderlypeopleCheckingclaimsfor cashbenefits,earlyold-agepensionsand

certainother benefits,and disbursingpayment thereofPrimaryeducationLibraries,localsportsfacilitiesandotherculturalactivitiesJob placement(tvangaktivering)and employmentschemesfor

non-insuredunemployed personsPublic services:environmental measuresand emergencyservicesSpatial planning:(localplans)Receptionandintegrationofrefugees


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EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the



14/60

Regionallevel

Locallevel

Nationallevel

21 September 2001Presidential elections

(inauguratedonthe8thof October):ArnoldRtel President of theRepublic

01 February 2003EntryintoforceoftheTreaty of Nice

1.5.2004AccessiontotheEU

29.3. 2004Estonia

joinsNATO

16/17 April 2003Signatureof theTreatyof Accession inAthens

29.10.2004Signatureof theTreaty establishing

theConstitution for Europe

14.9.2003Referendum onEU Accession

(66.84% infavour)

September 1994Freetradeagreementsbetween

thethreeBalticrepublics

12.6.1995Signatureof theEU/Estonia

AssociationAgreement

13.11.1999WTOmembership

Devolution in Estonia

volution process

volvement of territorial authoritiesEuropean integration andoss-border relationsr information)

President of the Republicelected for afive-year term by secret ballot by the

Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) or by an electoral college

November 1918Soviet invasionthat leadstothe War of Liberation

(1918-1920)

2.2.1920Russo-Estonianpeacetreaty(Treaty

of Tartu); Estonian independenceacknowledgedbySoviet Russia

1989Framework

legislation onlocal administrationadopted; territorial

authoritiesrestored

101memb erselected for afour-year term by freesecret ballot under aproportional representation system

Single-chamber Parliament(Riigikogu) (legislative branch)

appointsthePrimeministerand theminister s

elects

1992Art. 159 of theConstitutionempowersloc al government

to form unionsand jointagencies with other local

governments

Regionallevel

Locallevel

ationallevel

24.2.1918tonianindepende nce

March 1918Treatyof Brest-Litovsk; Russiacede s

thethreeBalticStatestoGermany

June 1920Adoptionof thefirst Constitution

1993Actson local

self-government,municipal budgets

and relationsb etweenthelocal and thenational budget

28.6.1992NewConstitut ion

adopted by referendum,introducing

single-tier localself-government

1994Local Tax Act

15 Counties (Maakonnad)

County Governorappointed for afive-year term by thegovernment at thepr oposalof thePrime Minister and following consultation with thelocalgovernment representativesof thecounty

241 municipalities, of which are 39 urban and 202 are rural municipalities

Mayor (executive function)elected by themunicipal council,themayor representsthemunicipality's executiveauthority

Municipal council (Volikogu ) (decision-making body)comprisingm inimum 7-31 members(depending on thesiz eof thepopulation; 63in Tallinn, thecapital), it iselected for athree-yearterm by universal direct suffrage(four-year term from 2005).Achairman iselectedby thecouncil members.

1993LocalGovernmentOrganisationAct,Article1 3: Local governmentshave

theright to becomemembersofcorresponding international

organisationsandtocooperatewithsuchorganisations

1993Establishment ofBalticSeaStates

SubregionalCooperation

(BSSSC)

1994Cooperation agreement

between Estoniaand Polishregionsand local

governments

1996Establishment oftheB7 Group -

BalticSeaSeven IslandsCooperation Network

appoints

March 1934Dictatorshipof

President K.Pts

October 1933Adoptionof

anew Constitutionbyreferendum

12.9.1934BalticEntente with

LatviaandLithuania

July 1937Adoptionof the

thirdConstitution

28.8.1939Soviet-Estonianassistance pact

17.6.1940Soviet occupation

(1940-1941)

6.8.1940Estoniabecomesa

Soviet republic

1941Estoniawas

occupiedby Nazi

22.9.1944RenewedSoviet occupation

(1944-1991)

16.11.1988TheSupreme Soviet of Estonia

(lemnukogu) declaresEstonian sovereignty

3.3.1991Referendum onindepende nce

(77.8% infavour)

20.8.1991ThesupremeSoviet of EstoniapassesthedecisiononEstonianindependence

6.9.1991Soviet UnionrecognizesEstonianindepe ndence

14.9.1991OSCE membership

17.9.1991UNmembership

6.3.1992Founder member of the

Council of theBaltic SeaStates

20.6.1992Introductionof theEEK

(Eesti kroon),Estonian currency

28.6.1992Present Constitution

adoptedbyreferendum

14.10.1992Signatureof the

Helsinki Final Act

14.5.1993Membershipof theCouncil of Europe

1994Associatemember of theWesternEuropean Union

26.7.1994Russian-Estonianagreement

towithdrawRussian troopsanddismantlethePaldiski nuclear base

2002Act on localgovernmentassociations;newact on

local elections

County answersto theMinistry of theCentral Government,whichorganisesandcoordinatestheiractivities

appointsthechairman and thejudgesof the SupremeCourt

4.11.1993Signatureof theCharter

of Local Self-Government(cf. Council of Europe)

(entry into force10.4.1995)

23.8.1939German-Soviet

Non-AggressionPact(Molotov-Ribbentrop)

Government (executive branch)

Prime Ministerappointed by thePresident of theRepublic, mustsecurethe support of at least amajority of votesin Parliament in order to form agovernment

Council of ministerstheministe rs(max. 15) areappointed bythePresident on theproposal of thePrimeMinister

1918First nationallawon local

self-government,two-tier systemwasintrodu ced

1934One-tier local

self-governmentwasestablished

1940-1990Different reforms

under Sovietoccupation

toricalkground

ituation asof January2005, updated byStudies Serviceof theCommitt eeof theRegions with acceptanceof National Delegation

Supreme Court (Riiggikohus) (judicial branch)

Comprising 19 judges divided between three chambers,it is the state's highest judicial institution. In additionto final review of cases, it also rules on theconstitutionality of legislation

Chairman of the Supreme Court appointed by theRiigikoguat the proposal of thePresident of the Republic

Judgesappointed for life by theRiigikoguon the proposalof the Chief Justice

County level responsibilities

Counties are administrative units representing the central government at local level. There is no electedregional level.

Municipal level responsibilities

Under the Constitution, all local issues are dealt with and resolved by self-governing territorial authoritiesunless assigned to other persons according to law. They operate their own budgets.

National level responsibilities

Legislative power rests exclusively withRiigikogu.

General administrative powers in areas of national sovereignity:justice, foreign affairs, national defence, finances, supervisory powers

E du cat io n (nursery, primary and secondary levels) Maintenance of public areas Social welfare and services Welfare services for the elderly Housing and utilities Water supply and sewer maintenance

Spatial planning Maintenance of local public roads Local public transport Maintenance of public order Municipal libraries and museums Sports and leisure facilities

Responsibilities

Maintenance of public order; fire fighting andrescue

Infrastructure development and maintenance Industry and commerce

E du cation Labour policy Health management M otor way s

Environmental management Economic and spatial development Supervision over single acts of local self-governments Coordination of emergency situations


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Devolution in Finland

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16/60

Devolution in Finland

Pouvoirs

Powers

Powers

Devolution process

Role played by territorial authoritiesin promoting European integrationand cross-border relations(for information)

1962Treaty of Helsinki

provided the legal basis for cooperationbetween the Nordic States on legal matters,culture, infrastructure and environmental

legislation

1977Cooperation agreement betweenthe Nordic States - cooperation

between municipalities

President of the Republicelected by direct universal suffrage for a six-year term

Government

Prime Minister

appoints

appoints

6.12.1917Finland declares

independence

17.7.1919Adoption of

Finnish Constitution

1961Finland becomes an associate member of

the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

1994Martti Ahtisaari elected President

by direct universal suffrage

16.10.1994Referendum on Finlands accession to the European Union;

57% of voters vote in favour of joining

1991Act 1144/1991

on the autonomy ofthe land Islands

1993Act 1135/1993

on regional development:establishment of 19 regional

councils, which areresponsible for overallregional development

1995Local Government Act

lays down powers,rights and obligations

of local authorities

1997Act 1159/1997 on the

division of territory intoregions with responsibilityfor regional development

and land use

1999Act 132/1999

on land use

2002Act 602/2002 on

regional development,amending Act 1135/1993

and introducingthe possibility of

establishing"sub-regions"

February 2003(in force as from January 1, 2005): The Act on the

regional self-government experiment in Kainuu A directly elected regionalcouncil granted administrative power that has traditionally been the domain of the

state administration and its regional representatives; the regional administration willdecide on the allocation of resources allotted to the experiment in the national budget;

responsibility for welfare policy transferred from the municipality to the regionwhile the responsibility for their financing will remain with

the municipalities.

Parliament(Eduskunta)

200 members elected bydirect universal suffrage for a four-year term

Government answerable to Parliament

Structure of regional cooperation between local authorities(municipal federations)

The councils have authority for regional development, and areresponsible for regional policy and planning. They are decision-makingbodies, composed of members elected by the municipalities ofthe regions in question. Members are local councillors. Their role is to promote regions in the context of economicdevelopment

They are responsible for regional planning and distributionof central government funds and structural funds

19 Regional councils (Maakunnan liitto)

Autonomousprovinceof land (1921)

Swedish-speaking

Provincial legislativeassembly (Lagting)elected by directuniversal suffrage,has legislative powersin certain areas suchas health and medicalservices, educationand culture

Executive Council(Landskapsstyrelse),full-scale regionalgovernment

16 municipalities

Municipal council (Kunnanvaltuusto)members elected by direct universal suffragefor a four-year term, under pro portionalrepresentation

Decision-making body

Municipal administration

Municipal board (Kunnanhallitus),members elected by the municipal council

Other standing or temporary committees

1865 and 1873Local Government Act,which forms the basis

of the currentlocal government

system

1917Direct universal

suffragefor municipalities

1976Local Government Act

strengthens localdemocracy andlocal government

1980Madrid European Outline Convention

on Transfrontier Cooperationbetween Territorial Communities

or Authorities

3.6.1991Ratification of the European Charter

of Local Self-Government(came into effect on 1 October 1991)

March 1997Establishment of B7 Group

- cooperation betweenthe Baltic islands

1994Regional Development Act,

section 3 of which gives regional councilsresponsibility for international affairs and

external relations

1.1.1995Finland joins theEuropean Union

Regional

level

Local

level

Nat

ional

le

vel

Powers

1991Finland joins the European Economic Area;

EEA Treaty comes into force in 1994

1.5.1999Amsterdam Treaty

comes into force

1982Mauno Koivistoelected President

1921London Convention:

land Islands become part of Finland

November 1939Soviet invasion and

strong Finnish resistance

1940Treaty of Moscow: Finland cedes

one-tenth of national territory

1941Second

World War

1956Urho Kekkonen

elected President

1944Juho Paasikivi

elected President

2000Tarja Halonen

elected President

29.10.2004Signature of the Treaty establishing

the Constitution for Europe

1989Finland joins

Council of Europe

1987Full member

of EFTA

1975First Conference on Security and

Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Helsinki

1973Free Trade Agreement

with EEC

1955Finland joins UN

and Nordic Council

1947Paris

Peace Treaty

September 1944End of Second

World War

rrent situation as of January 2005, updated by Studies Service of the Committee of the Regions

Employment and BusinessDevelopment Centres

supervisedby national ministries

1.2.2003Nice Treaty

comes into force

Powers

432 Municipalities (Kunta)

Historicalbackground

Provincial state offices,the administration of which is entrustedto a governor (maaherra), who isappointed by the President of the Republic.These offices are devolved state bodies.

6 Provinces (Lnit),purely for the purposes of

central government administration

Responsibilities

State responsibilities

Legislative power rests exclusively with central government,

except for cases where it is shared with the autonomous provinceof land

General administrative powers in areas of national sovereignty:justice, foreign affairs, national defence and financeShared administrative powers in other fields:those in the area oflocal administration are strictly limited

Regional Councils

regional policy regional planning

Provincial state offices

Governors are responsible for overseeing provincial administration

Employment and Business Development Centres

Promote economic development in terms of use of labour andbusiness activities (devolved state bodies)

Responsibilities of local authorities

Statutory powers:

- health and social security- education (running of schools, adult education etc.)- youth work- land use- the environment

General powers within the local government mandate:

- culture- leisure and recreation- promotion of local econ omic development- maintenance of public roads,water supply, electricity etc.


17/60

Devolution in France

EUROPEAN UNION

Committeeof the



18/60

1997L.JospinPrimeMinister

1.5.1999Amsterdam Treatyentersintoforce

June2001National Assemblya nd

Senateratify Treatyof Nice

17.6.2002J-P RaffarinPrime Minister

29.10.2004Signatureof theTreaty establishing

aCons titutionfor Europe

7.5.1995J.ChiracPresident

of theRepublic

1997Ratificationof

Amsterdam Treaty

September 2000Revisionof theconstitution byreferendum:

president'sterm reducedtofiveyears

5.5.2002J.Chirac re-elected


1.2.2003Treatyof Nice

entersintoforce

6.7.2003

Electorsin

Corsicavoteagainst

replacingthepresent

localauthorityandtwo

"dpartments"byasinglelocal

authority

Overseas

Actof21.7.2003

Promotese conomic

developmentovers eas

aroundthreemainprinciples:

encouragingjobcreation,

promotingtherevivalofprivate

investmenta ndstrengtheni ng

territorialcontinuitybetween

overseasauthorities

andmetropolitan

France

29.7.2004

Organiclawon

thefinancialautonomy

ofterritorialauthorities

(implementing provisions

introducedbythe

constitutionallaw

of28March

2003)

13.8.2004

Lawonlocal

freedomsand

responsibilities.The

lawlistsaset of

powerstransferredby

thestatetoterritorial

authorities.These

transfersofpowers

aretocomeinto

forceon1January

2005

Organic

Lawof1.8.2003

onlocalauthority

experiments: Authorises

localauthorities,

asanexperiment,to

waivethelegal

provisionsgover ning

theexerciseof

theirpowers

OrganicLaw

of1.8.2003on

localreferenda:Lays

downtheconditionsfor

organising"l ocal

referenda",alwaysatthe

initiativeofalocal

authority(muni cipality,"dpartement"orregion),

voters'responseto

havethenatureof

adecision

Actof

11.4.2003

ontheelection

ofregional

councillors, MEPs

andtheprovision

ofgovernmentaid

forpolitical

parties

Actof

28.3.2003onthe

devolvedorganisa tion

oftherepublic:

Enshrinestheprinciples

ofdevolutionandfinancial

autonomyforlocal

authoritiesinthenew

Article72ofthe

constitution

Actof

19.2.2003

onbudgetreform

andthe

accounting

rules

applyingto

"dpartements"

Acto f27.2.2002

on grass-rootsdemocracy provides

toolsforparticipatorydemocracy,improvesthestatusof electedpoliticiansand givesnewpowersto local

authorities,particularlythe

regions

Intermediatelevel

Regionallevel

Locallevel

Nationallevel

Devolution in France

termediatelevel

egionallevel

Locallevel

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

Powers

olution process

ationallevel

Role played by territorial authoritiesn promoting European integration

and cross-border relationsfor information)

13.10.1946FourthRepublic founded

1954Endof thewarinIndochina

4.10.1958FifthRepublic founded

18.3.1962Algeriagranted independenceunder theEvian Agreements

22.1.1963Signatureof theElyseTreatyon

Franco-GermanCooperation

May1968Widespreadsocialunrest inFrance

15.6.1969G.Pompidou


10.5.1981F.Mitterrand


8.5.1988F.Mitterrandre-elected


18.4.1951Signatureof theTreatyof Parisestablishing theEuropeanCoal andSteel Community(ECSC)

25.3.1957Signatureof thetreaties establishingthe European

EconomicCommunity (EEC) andEuratom (EAEC)

December 1958C.deGaullePresident

of theRepublic

28.10.1962Adoption by referendum of arevision of theconstitution, wherebythePresident of theRepublic iselected by direct universal suffrage

1966Francewithdraws from NATO's

integratedmilitaryco mmand

27.4.1969Failureof thereferendum onthe reform

of theSenate. President deGaulle resigns

19.5.1974V.Giscard d'Estaing


March1986J.Chirac

PrimeMinister

15.10.1985Signingof the

EuropeanCharter of LocalSelf-Government

6.2.1992Act settingout guidelines

for territorial administration(ATRAct),authorises

territorial authoritiestoconcludec ross-border

agreementsandtoset upcross-border structures

Circular of 26.5.1994Guidefor authorities

responsibleforcheckingthe legality

of devolvedcooperationagreements

LawNo.95-115of 4.2.1995settingguidelinesfor landuse

planningandlanddevelopment.Incorporatesthe legalprovisionsconce rning

devolvedcoop erationintothegeneral code for local

authorities(CGCT)

LawNo.99-533of 25.6.1999settingguidelines for sustainable

landuseplanningandlanddevelopment.Introduces greaterflexibilityintoArticle L.1112-4

of theCGCT concerningstakeholdings of Frenchlocalauthoritiesin organisations

governedbyforeignlaw

Act of 13.12.2000onsolidarityandurbanrenewal allowsforeign

(andnot just neighbouring)local authoritiesmore

flexibilityon stakeholdinginlocal mixedeconomy

companies(SEML)

OverseasGuidanc eAct of 13.12.2000

Allowscertain localauthorities(ROM andDOM) todeal directly

withneighbouringstatesunder certain

conditions

Circular of 20.4.2001Givesdetailsontheconceptsof powersandlocal interest

usedindevolvedcooperation,ontherespectivepowersof

municipalitiesand their groupingsasregardsagreementswith

foreignpartners,andon thelegaldevelopment of cross-border

devolvedcoope ration

Act of 2.1.2002modernisingthestatusof local

mixedeconomycompanies

volved unitary French state (post-1982)President of the Republic

National Assemblycomprising deputieselected by directuniversal suffrage

Senatecomprising senatorselected by indirectuniversal suffrage

Parliament with legislativepower

GovernmentConstitutional Council9 members;thePresident of theRepublicandthePresidentsof thetwo Assemblies(Senate and National Assembly)each appoint 3 members

22 regions (made up of several "dpartements")(21 metropolitan regions+ 1 "special status"region (Corsica) + 4 overseas regions)

Regional Councils Membersare electedfor six yearsby direct universal suffrageund er atwo-round mixed system:Thelist which hasreceived anabsolute majorityof thevotes cast isgiven anumber of seatsequal to aquarter of thenumber of seatsto befilled, roundedup to thenext highest wholenumber. Oncethis hasbeen done, theother seatsare

allocated amongall the listsby proportional representation according to the"highest average"rule. The president of theregional council (elected bythecouncil members from among their number) hasexecutive power in theregion and ishead of theregional administration

Regional administration

Departmental administration

Regional prefectstheregional prefect istherepresentativeof thestate intheregion. At thesametimeregional prefectshold thepost of departmental prefectof the "dpartement"representingthe capitalof theregion

96 dpartements+ 4 overseas dpartements

General councilsmemberselect ed for six yearsby direct universal suffrage. Every threeyears, half havetostand for re-election. Atwo-round majority vote system isused. Thegenera l council isheadedby apresident, elected by themembers of thecouncil from among their number.Executivepower in the "dpartement"is vested in thepresident,who isitsadministrativehead

36,763 municipalities

Municipal councilsmembers elected for six yearsby direct universal suffrage.In municipalitieswith lessthan 3,500 inhabitants councilsareelected by amajority vote. In thosewith more than3,500inhabitants,ahybridsystemapplies;halfoftheseatsarefilled by amajo rity vote, whilst theother half arefille dunder proportional representation with abonus for thelistwith themost votes

Themunicip al administration isheade d by thecouncil secretary-general, alocal authority officer

Corsicaspecial regionalstatuswithexecutivebodyresponsibletotheterritorialassembly

checks theconstitutio nality of legislation if necessary

appoints

appoints

areaau thoritieshave freedom of administration

areaauthorities havefreedom of administration

areaauthoriti eshave freedom of administration

retrospectiveverification

Retrospectiveverification

Power to annul administrativedec isions

Prefecttheprefect istherepresentativeof thestateatdpartement level; thereisoneprefect perdpartement ,appointed bythegovernment

Overseasdpartements:these areasare bothregions anddpartements

Municipal councilsareheaded by mayors, elected by themembersof thecouncil from amongtheir number; thema yor holdsexecutivepower and isthehead of themunicipaladministration and representativeof thestate when implementing laws

appoints

situation asof January2005, updated byStudiesService of theCommitteeof theRegions with acceptanceof National Delegation

New Caledoniaauthority with specialstatus with legislativeautonomy at local level

4 Overseas Authoritiestheyeachhavea differentstatuslaiddownbyan organiclaw

Public institutions for cooperation between municipalities" Communauts urbaines"for big cities(mo st integrated form)" Communauts d'agglomrations"for medium-sized towns" Communautsdecommunes"for rural municipalities;

no minimum population requiredMunicipal syndicates("syndicatesdecommunes");

singleor multi-purposebodies for providing variouspublicservicesfor several municipalities

Inter-city syndicates("syndicats d'agglomration");newbodiesset up to respond to theneedsof newtownsnotrequired to expand

Other groupingsof municipalities, such asthe "communautsdevilles"and "communautsdedistricts", will bephased outand incorporated into oneof the bodiesme ntioned above

Metropolitan cities:Paris, Lyon, Marseille(Law82-1 169 of 31 December 1982, amendedby Law2002-276 of 27 February 2002)M unicipal council headed by themayo rDi strict councilsconsulted by themun icipal

council onlandmanagemen t mattersNeighbourhood councils(set up by theGrassRoots Dem ocracyAct of 27 February 2002)

consulted at local level

Retrospectiveverificat ion

1.11.1993Treatyon EuropeanUnion

(Maastricht) entersinto force

1993E.Balladur PrimeMinister

ctof

1871

nisesthe

tement"ritorial

nit

Actof

5.4.1884

Establishesthe

electionofallmayors

bymunicipalcouncils.

Givesmunicipalcouncils

generalpowersfor

conducting

municipal

affairs

Actof

22.3.1890

Setsupmunicipal

syndicates,the

firstpublic

institutionsfor

cooperation

between

municipalities

Article72

ofthe1958

Constitutionperpetuates

theprinciplethatlocal

authoritiesmayberun

freely(byelectedcouncils

formunicipalities,"dpartements"andoverseas

territoriesunderthe

supervisionofa

representativeof

thestate)

Referendum

of27.4.1969

Failureofthe

constitutionalplan

forregionalisation

(andforturningthe

Senateintoa

consultative

assembly)

(Actof

31.12.1966

setsup"urbancommunities"

todealwithproblems

occurringinlarge

conurbations)

(Orderof

5.1.1959

authorisesthe

setting-upofmulti-

-purposemunicipal

syndicates(SIVOMs)

andsetsupurban

districts)

(Act of16.7.1971

on municipalmergers andregroupings.

Mergersremainlimited innumber)

(Act of5.7.1972

Establishmentof regional public

institutionswith limited

powers atregional

level)

Acto f2.3.1982 on the rights

and freedomsof municipalities,"dpartements" and regions

launches devolution,abolishes thesupervisory powers of the state

overtheactionsof local authorities,transfersdepartmental

and regional executivepowertothepresidentsof thegeneral councils

and regional councilsrespectivelyand turns the region into a

territorial authorityrun byanelected assembly

1982Many laws such as

theAct of 10July1982settingup regional audit boards;

theAct of 19 November1982which introduces,for municipalities

with 3,500inhabitantsand more,asinglemethod of votingcombiningfirst-past-the-post and proportional

representation;theAct of31 December 1982,known as the

PLM Act,which modifies theadministration of Paris,

Lyon and Marseille

Actso f7.1.1983

and 22.7.1983Allocation of

responsibilitiesbetween municipalities,"dpartements",regions

and thenationaladministration for

each fieldof action

Acto f26.1.1984Setsup a

territorial civilservicesubject

to specificregulations

(20.7.1998Constitutional

revisionconcerning

NewCaledonia)

16.4.1986First

election ofregional

councillorsbyuniversal

suffrage

Act of 6.2.1992Setsout guidelinesfor

territorial administration(ATR Act),encourages

cooperation between municipalities("communautsdecommunes"

and "communautsdevilles")andbetween regions.Strengthens localdemocracybyallowingconsultativemunicipal referenda and by granting

extrarightsto theoppositionin elected local authority

assemblies.Statedevolutioncontinued

(Agreementof 27.1.2000

on the future ofMayotte followed

of theAct of 9May 2000

organisingareferendum in

Mayotte shows thewill to move Mayotte

forward fromitsprovisional

status)

Acto f12.7.1999

simplifying cooperationbetween municipalities:

Abolishes"communautsdevilles" and "communautsdedistricts" and sets up

"communautsd'agglomration",intended forconurbationsof

at least 50,000inhabitantscentredon amunicipalityof 15,000

inhabitants.Financial incentivesto encourage the setting-up

of joint municipalbodies

(OrganicLawof

12.4.1996on the status

of French Polynesiaaimed at adapting

the conceptof "evolutionary

autonomy"to thestatusof Polynesia)

OrganicLaw2000-294and Ordinary

Law2000-295of5 April 2000

concern multipleoffice-holdingof

national andlocal elected

posts

(Act of6.6.2000 to

encourage the equalaccessof women and ofmen to electoral office:

Appliestheprincipleof parity enshrined intheConstitution since

the revision of8 July 1999)

17.10.2000Reportof

the MauroyCommission

ondevolution.

OverseasGuidance Act of

13 December 2000Overseas Departments

(DOM) allowed to developdifferently and hold local referendaon institutional organisation issues

and on theallocation of powersbetween the state and local

authorities.Act also includesanumberof economicandsocial provisionsto offsetemployment difficulties

in the DOM

toricalkground

Responsibilities of the stateSocialactionand health: Benefits(aid)involvingnational

solidarity;supervisionandchecking ofstate-run healthestablishments;universalsickness agreement(CMU);checkingof publichygiene

Furthervocationaltrainingand apprenticeships: Choiceofgeneralactions

Education: Developmentofprogrammes; staffpay andorganisationof studies;universities

Economicaid: Responsibilityfor economicdevelopmentTownplanning: Statecontrol;territorialdirectives;nationaltown

planningrules;protection ofthe architecturalheritage;nationalparks

Environment: NationalreservesCulturalaffairs: Statecontrol

Responsibilities of the regions under ordinary law (2003)

Furthervocationaltrainingand apprenticeships: Regionalvocationaltrainingdevelopmentplan; implementationofinitialand furthertrainingschemes foryoung peopleandadults;apprenticeships

Education: Creation,construction,maintenanceand operationofhighschools andestablishmentsfor specialisteducation

Planning,regionalplanning: Preparationof theregionaldevelopmentandland useplan; State-regionplanning contract

Schooltransport: Regionalplan;general interestlinksRailtransport: Regionalpassengertransport

Economicaid: Directaid (inaccordancewith EUrules); indirectaidfor companies;stakeholdingin regionaldevelopmentandregionalfinancingcompanies

Townplanning: RegionalnaturereservesEnvironment: Environmentalprotection;heritageand sitesboard;

listingof historicalmonuments;regionalair qualityplan;classificationof regionalnaturereserves

Culturalaffairs: Regionalarchives,regionalmuseums; protectionofheritage andlisting ofmonuments andartisticriches(2003:experimental)

Responsibilities of the municipalities under ordinary law (2003)

Socialactionand health: Optionalservices(e.g. daycare centres,sheltersforthe homeless);municipalhygiene offices

Education: Creation,construction,maintenanceand operationofprimaryschoolsand pre-schoolclasses

Planning,regionalplanning: Jointmunicipaldevelopmentcharters;jointmunicipal boundaryinitiatives

Schooltransport: Financingand organisationwithin themunicipalboundaries

Economicaid: Directaidcomplementaryto thatoftheregion(by

agreement);indirectaid forcompanies (includingloanandotherguarantees)

Townplanning: Preparationofterritorialconsistencyschemes(SCOTs);localtown planning;issueof buildingpermitsandotherauthorisationsconcerningoccupationof theland

Environment: Drainage;distributionof drinkingwater;collectionandprocessing ofhousehold waste

Culturalaffairs: Artisticteachingschools; municipalarchives;municipalmuseums;music academies

Responsibilities of the "dpartements" under ordinary law (2003)

Socialactionand health: Aidfor children;socialaid forfamilies;accommodationforpeople withdisabilitiesand elderlypeople;supervisionofsocial establishmentsinthe "dpartement"

Education: Creation,construction,maintenanceand operationofordinarysecondaryschools andcolleges

Planning,regionalplanning: Ruralequipment aidprogramme;associatedinstate-regionplanning contracts

Schooltransport: Financingand orga

Documents

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