Regional self-government – Topics identified by the European practice report on regional self-government of the CDLR

1

The size of regional entities in a national and European context (definition, changes and co-operation)

Belgium

The participation of federal entities in the group workshops is a consequence of the structure of the Belgian State.

Bulgaria

Study of practices of European states with two functioning levels of self-government. Study and analysis of possible scope of services and resources necessary for the introduction of a second level of self-government (regional) in case of up-coming reform.

Hungary

Latvia

In Latvia a reform on local self-governments is performed and also a discussion on establishing regional self-governments is ongoing

Serbia

Upcoming reform; international exchange of views and practices

Slovenia

Under the aspect of size of regional territories ; already has the experience of organising such workshops and would like to renew it

Switzerland

Continuous discussion and several projects for merging municipalities. The “Gemeindevereini-gungsgesetz” (law on the merger of municipalities) provides cantons with the competence for encouraging mergers.

Under the aspect of “co-operation between regional authorities” ; sees a close link between the size of regional territories and their co-operation ; suggestion made in the LR-GI committee has led to regouping of the two aspects under one point

2

Regional competences – definition and transfer from one administrative level to another

Belgium

Belgium

Same reason as under theme 1

Bulgaria

Same reason as under theme 1

Estonia

Possible political discussions before the elections on possible up-coming reform

France

Hungary

Latvia

Same reason as under theme 1

Lithuania

Territorial administrative reform is an ongoing process in Lithuania. A lot of discussions is being raised. Interested in other countries’ experience in distribution of powers between different administrative levels and in transfer of new competences to regional authorities

Romania

Romania is going to continue the process of decentralisation, by transferring a number of responsibilities from central to local authorities (county and municipal authorities). From this point of view, it is important to better know the regional competences and experiences in different European  countries.

Serbia

Same reason as under theme 1

Spain

3

Regional finances in line with competences

Austria

(Land Salzburg)

Ongoing process of substantial constitutional reform in Austria.

Belgium

Same reason as under theme 1

Bulgaria

Same reason as under theme 1

Hungary

Latvia

Same reason as under theme 1

Serbia

Same reason as under theme 1

Switzerland

Putting into practice the new financial equalisation system

4

Regional representation at national or European level

Austria

(Land Salzburg)

Ongoing developments in many CoE member States

Belgium

Belgium

Same reason as under theme 1

Bulgaria

Same reason as under theme 1

Latvia

Same reason as under theme 1

Serbia

Same reason as under theme 1

Spain

Other CDLR areas of activity (democratic participation, public ethics, finance, etc. ) – Topics suggested by member States

1

Inter-territorial co-operation : bilateralism or multilateralism

Belgium

The participation of federal entities in the group workshops is a consequence of the structure of the Belgian State.

2

The evolution of voting methods at local level and the representation of « underrepresented » groups

Belgium

Same reason as under theme 1

3

Control of expenses of elected representatives and political parties, during the electoral period or not

Belgium

Same reason as under theme 1

4

Local finance and public services

Finland

Ongoing reform

5

Democratic participation and public ethics at local level

Finland

E-democracy, ongoing experiment

6

Legal control over regional laws

Hungary

7

Legal procedures in constitutional courts regarding the conformity of national legal acts with the European Charter of Local Self-Government

Latvia

Adapting to the European Charter of Local Self-Government ; national legal acts on self-governments may differ as well as the interpretation of the Charter

8

Legal procedures in courts regarding reforms on self-governments

Latvia

Have there been any legal procedures in courts where self-governments sued the state (as the legislator) because of reforms on self-governments

9

Increasing role of local and regional authorities for promoting and stimulating local development

Romania

The current process of globalisation, the administrative decentralisation in the CoE countries, the increasing number of problems which need to be evaluated and solved at local level, impose necessity for the local and regional authorities to involve, more and more, in stimulating and promoting various measures of local and regional development. This topic could be discussed in a one or several workshops and possible become, in the future, a topic of discussion for one of the CoE committee

10

Public Ethics

San Marino

Important for improving the local administration

General interest in the workshop approach and will to support it (without specifiying the topic)

Sweden

Ready to support the method and contribute to workshops, but with no specific interest in any one theme

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Interested in participating in workshops and contributing to the debates

Assembly of European Regions (AER)

Interested in participating in workshops and contributing to the debates