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Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy that governs its federal territory through a centralised federalism model. Austria has a Federation (Bund) and local governments. Both the federal and state constitutions recognise municipalities as legal entities with self-government authority. It is a member of the European Union, and it signed the Schengen Agreement in 1995.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a federal state divided into two entities, the Republic of Srpska (RS) and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Brcko District, which has been ascribed a special district status that falls outside of the jurisdiction of the Republic of Srpska. The Republic of Srpska is composed of municipalities (opština) while the Federation BiH is composed of municipalities (općina) and cantons (kantoni).
Local level: 55 municipalities and 9 cities in the Republic of Srpska, 74 municipalities and 6 cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brcko District
Municipalities and cities (gradovi), also called local self-government units, are both executive and legislative authorities.
The municipal assembly (skupština opštine/općinsko vijeće) is the local authority’s decision and policy-making body. It is made up of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. The municipal assembly notably adopts the municipal budget and can appoint or dismiss members of the municipality or city’s permanent and non-permanent working bodies.
The mayor (načelnik opština/općina in municipalities and gradonačelnik in cities) is the executive head of the local authority. He/she is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. The mayor can put forward draft legislative proposals to the municipal assembly. He/she also implements local policy, has responsibility for the execution of the municipal budget and enforces national laws and regulations to be implemented at the local tier.
There are some exceptions with regard to certain mayoral elections. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Mayor of Mostar and the Mayor of Sarajevo are not directly elected. Instead, they are elected by the cities’ assemblies. Since February 2020, in the Republic of Srpska, the mayor of the city of East Sarajevo has been elected by the citizens in direct general elections for a period of four years.
Competences:
Cities and municipalities are the key providers of essential public and social services.
. Economic development
. Spatial and urban planning
. Social care
. Civil protection
. Environment
. Heating
. Local roads
. Sewage and solid waste disposal
. Water
. Culture and tourism
. Housing
. Pre-school
. Sports
. School building maintenance
. School bus transportation
. Ambulance services
. Health care supplies
Note:
Cities and municipalities are encouraged by existing local government laws to establish companies, institutions and other organisations so as to help manage, finance and improve local infrastructures and services.
Regional level: 10 cantons (kanton or županija)
Cantons, which have their own regional government, are federal units within the entity of the Federation of
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
All cantons are ethnically mixed and thus have special laws so as to ensure equality amongst all citizens.
The premier (premijer) is at the head of the canton. He/she is assisted in his/her duties by a number of cantonal ministries, agencies and services.
Belgium is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Western Europe. It is known for its complex political structure, divided between the federal government, regions, and language communities. It plays a central role in the European Union, with Brussels being the de facto capital of the EU.
Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic in Southeast Europe. It is a member of the European Union with a political system based on a multi-party democracy. The country is governed by a President, who serves as head of state, and a Prime Minister leading the executive branch.
Cyprus is a unitary presidential republic in the Eastern Mediterranean, though it is politically divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-controlled north. It is a member of the European Union.
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary representative democracy in Central Europe, and a member of the European Union. It operates under a multi-party system, with a President as head of state and a Prime Minister leading the government.
Germany is a federal parliamentary republic in Central Europe, and one of the most influential countries in the European Union. It is governed by a Chancellor and a multi-tiered system of government, with 16 federal states (Länder).
Denmark is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe. Known for its strong welfare state, Denmark is a member of the European Union but retains the Danish krone as its currency. The Prime Minister leads the government.
Estonia is a democratic republic in Northern Europe. Known for its advanced e-governance and digital society, Estonia is a member of both the European Union. The country is governed by a President and a Prime Minister.
Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Southern Europe, and one of the largest members of the European Union. It is governed by a King and a Prime Minister, with significant regional autonomy in several areas.
Finland is a parliamentary republic in Northern Europe, known for its high standard of living and commitment to social welfare. The President has limited executive powers, while the Prime Minister leads the government. Finland is a member of the European Union.
France is a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe, one of the founding members of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is governed by a President and a Prime Minister, with a strong multi-party system.
The United Kingdom is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, consisting of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The political system is governed by a monarch and a Prime Minister.
Georgia is a unitary state composed of municipalities (munits’ipaliteti) and self-governing cities (tvitmmartveli qalaqebi).
The country itself is a unitary parliamentary republic, with its government held accountable under a unicameral parliamentary system.
Greece is a parliamentary republic in Southern Europe, known as the cradle of Western democracy. It is a member of the European Union and NATO. The President serves as the ceremonial head of state, with the Prime Minister acting as head of government.
Croatia is a parliamentary republic located in Southeast Europe. It became a member of the European Union in 2013. The political system includes a President, who has limited powers, and a Prime Minister who heads the government.
Hungary is a parliamentary republic in Central Europe, and a member of the European Union. The political system is based on a multi-party democracy, with the President serving as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government.
Iceland is a Nordic parliamentary republic located in the North Atlantic. It has a strong tradition of democracy and social welfare. The President serves as a ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the government.
Italy is a parliamentary republic in Southern Europe. As a founding member of the European Union, Italy has a diverse and dynamic political system with a President and a Prime Minister. It operates under a multi-party system.
Lithuania is a parliamentary republic in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. A member of the European Union and NATO, Lithuania is governed by a President and a Prime Minister, with a multi-party system.
Luxembourg is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is known for its stable political environment and strong economy, being one of the founding members of the European Union. The country is governed by a Grand Duke (as head of state) and a Prime Minister, with a strong parliamentary system in place.
Latvia is a parliamentary republic in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. The President has a ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister leads the executive government.
Moldova is a parliamentary republic in Eastern Europe, with close ties to both the European Union and Russia. The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the government.
Montenegro is a parliamentary republic in Southeast Europe, and is in the process of joining the European Union. It has a multi-party political system, with a President as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government.
North Macedonia is a parliamentary republic in Southeast Europe. It has aspirations to join the European Union and NATO, and operates under a multi-party system with a President and a Prime Minister.
Malta is a unitary state composed of 68 local councils (kunsill lokali) and 6 regional councils (Kumitat Reġjonali).
Local level: 68 local councils (kunsill lokali)
The local council (kunsill lokali) is the local authority’s deliberative body. Its members are elected by direct universal suffrage via a system of proportional representation for a period of five years. The number of councillors varies according to the demographic size of the local authority.
The executive secretary (segretarju ezekuttiv) is designated by the local council for a three year mandate. He/she is the executive, administrative and financial head of the council.
The mayor (sindku) is the political representative of the local council. He/she is the local council member with the highest number of votes from the political party that wins an overall majority in a local election. The mayor holds a five-year mandate and chairs local council meetings.
Regional level: 5 regional councils (kumitat reġjonali)
Previously known as “regional committees”,, the regional councils were established in 2021, following the Local Government Reform Process and the publication of Act No. XIV of 2019. Their legal basis was strengthened and their role, including a new set of defined functions, has also grown inimportance.
The regional council (kumitat reġjonali) is the regional authority’s deliberative body. Its members are the mayors (or representatives of the mayors) of the local councils from that region. They hold a five-year mandate.
The executive secretary (segretarju ezekuttiv) is the regional council’s head of finances and administration.
The regional president (reġjonali) is elected by direct universal suffrage using a system of proportional representation for a period of five years.
Competences:
Maintenance of road infrastructure and buildings
Waste management
Maintenance of public recreational centres
Support for citizens and their rights (transport, communications, taxation)
Child care centres, kindergartens and other educational services*
Health and rehabilitation centres*
Culture and sport
Urban environment
Local library services
* In conjunction with any competent authority
The Netherlands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Western Europe. It has a decentralised political system with a King as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government. It is a founding member of the European Union.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe, though it is not a member of the European Union. It has a strong welfare system and a parliamentary political system, with a King and a Prime Minister.
Poland is a parliamentary republic in Central Europe, and a member of the European Union. It is governed by a President and a Prime Minister, with a multi-party system in place.
Portugal is a democratic republic in southwestern Europe, known for its stable political environment and active participation in the European Union. Governed by a semi-presidential system, Portugal’s political landscape features a President, Prime Minister, and a multi-party parliament.
Romania is a semi-presidential republic in Southeast Europe, and a member of the European Union. It operates with a multi-party system, with a President and a Prime Minister sharing executive powers.
Serbia is a parliamentary republic in Southeast Europe, with aspirations to join the European Union. It operates under a multi-party system, with a President and a Prime Minister.
Sweden is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe, known for its strong welfare state and high standard of living. The King holds a ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister leads the government. Sweden is a member of the European Union.
Slovenia is a parliamentary republic in Central Europe, known for its high standard of living and strong social policies. It is a member of the European Union, governed by a President and a Prime Minister.
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Slovakia is a parliamentary republic in Central Europe, and a member of the European Union. It has a multi-party system, with a President and a Prime Minister leading the executive government.
Türkiye is a presidential republic straddling Southeast Europe and Western Asia. The President holds significant executive powers under the 2018 constitutional reform, with a multi-party political system in place.
Ukraine is a semi-presidential republic in Eastern Europe, currently engaged in conflict with Russia over territorial disputes. It is governed by a President and a Prime Minister, with aspirations to join the European Union.
Israel is a parliamentary democracy in the Middle East. It is known for its technological innovation and dynamic political landscape. The President holds a largely ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister leads the government.
French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions
President: Phillipe LAURENT
Secretary General: Michaël QUERNEZ
Director General: Christophe CHAILLOU
Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces
President: GARCÍA-PELAYO JURADO María José
Vice President: REY GARCÍA Inés
Association of Communes of Romania
President: Emil DRĂGHICI
Secretary General: Ghiorghe BUTE
Director General: Sergiu ȚÂRA
Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities
President: Mihhail KOLVART
Director General: Veikko LUHALAID
Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
President: Joona RASANEN
Director General: Minna KARHUNEN
Association of German Cities
President: Markus LEWE
Secretary General: Helmut DEDY
Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
President: Aldis HAFSTEINSDOTTIR
Director General: Karl BJORNSSON
Association of Local Authorities of Republic of Srpska
Secretary General: Aco PANTIC
Association of Luxembourg Cities and Municipalities
President: Emile EICHER
Secretary General: Gérard KOOB
Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
President: Faris HASANBEGOVIC
Director General: Vesna TRAVLJANIN
Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia
President: Jasna GABRIC
Secretary General: Jasmina VIDMAR
Association of Netherlands Municipalities
President: Jan VAN ZANEN
Director General: Leonard GELUK
Association of Polish Cities
President: SUTRYK Jacek
Secretary General: PORAWSKI Andrzej
Association of Polish Counties
President: PŁONKA Andrzej
Secretary General: BORUSIEWICZ Rudolf
Association of Provinces of the Netherlands
President: Jaap SMIT
Director General: M. J. FRAANJE
Association of the Units of Local Self-Government of the Republic of North Macedonia
President: Danela ARSOVSKA
Director General: Dusica PERISIC
Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia
President: Branislav TREGER
Director General: Michal KALINAK
Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia
President: DERMOL Peter
Secretary General: KOSPENDA Miran
Austrian Association of Cities and Towns
President: PRESSL, Johannes
Secretary General: LEISS, Walter
Association of the City and the Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region (BRULOCALIS)
President: Olivier DELEUZE
Director General: Corinne FRANÇOIS
Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania
President: Mindaugas SINKEVICIUS
Director General: Roma ŽAKAITIENE
CEMR Italian Section (AICCRE)
President: Milena BERTANI
Secretary General: Carla REY
Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE)
President: Lazaros KYRIZOGLOU
Secretary General: Dimitris KAFANTARIS
Director General: Panagiotis VASSILIOU
Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova
President: Tatiana BADAN
Director General: Viorel FURDUI
Croatian County Association
President: Goran PAUK
Secretary General: Melita PAVLEK
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
President: Alison EVISON
Danish Regions
President: Stephanie LOSE
General Director: Adam WOLF
Federation of Local Authorities in Israel
President: Haim BIBAS
General Director: Shlomo DOLBERG
German Association of CEMR (RGRE)
President: Christiane HORSCH
Secretary General: Uwe ZIMMERMANN
Association of Ukrainian Cities
President: Vitaliy KLITSCHKO
Director General: Oleksandr SLOBOZHAN
German Association of Towns and Municipalities
President: Uwe BRANDL
Director General: Gerd LANDSBERG
Partnership of Hungarian Local Government Associations
President: József DANCSÓ
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
President: Gints KAMINSKIS
Secretary General: Mudīte PRIEDE
Local Councils’ Association
President: Mario FAVA
Local Government Association (LGA)
President: James JAMIESON
Local Government Denmark (LGDK)
President: Jacob BUNDSGAARD
General Director: Kristian WENDELBOE
National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia
President: KALADZE Kakha
Secretary General: RUKHADZE Nino
National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria
President: Daniel PANOV
Director General: Silvia GEORGIEVA
National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP)
President: SALGUEIRO Luísa
Secretary General: SOLHEIRO Rui
National Union of County Councils of Romania
President: Adrian VEŞTEA
Director General: Sorin MUNTEANU
Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS)
Director General: Kelmend ZAJAZI
Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
President: Gunn Marit HELGESEN
Director General: Lasse HANSEN
Romanian Municipalities Association
President: Emil BOC
Secretary General: Aurel SIMIONESCU
Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia
President: CVETANOVIC Goran
Secretary General: TARBUK Nikola
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions
President: Anders HENRIKSSON
Secretary General: Staffan ISLING
Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities
President: Jenő SCHMIDT
Secretary General: Ferenc GYERGYÁK
Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils
President: Sergiy CHERNOV
Secretary General: Yuriy ANDRIYCHUK
Union des Villes et Communes de Wallonie
President: Maxime DAYE
Secretary General: Michèle BOVERIE
Union of Belgian Cities and Municipalities
Secretary General: Corinne FRANÇOIS
Union of Cyprus Municipalities
President: Andreas VYRAS
Secretary General: Michalis SOCRATOUS
Union of Municipalities of Montenegro
President: Veselin GRBOVIC
Secretary General: Refik BOJADŽIĆ
Union of Municipalities of Turkiye
President: Fatma SAHIN
Secretary General: Hayri BARAÇLI
Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities
President: Wim DRIES
Secretary General: Kris SNIJKERS
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
President: Andrew MORGAN
Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
President: Robert BURGESS
Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic
President: Frantisek LUKL
Director General: Radka VLADYKOVÁ
