LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN BULGARIA
Bulgaria is a unitary State composed of municipalities (obshtina), administrative districts and regions (oblast).
Local level: more than 260 municipalities (obshtina)
Municipal authorities
The municipal council (obchtinski savet) is the deliberative body of the municipality. Its members are elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. Members of the municipal council (between 11 and 51 councillors) elect their president from among themselves. The president convenes and chairs the council, and coordinates the commissions' work.
The mayor (kmet) is the executive body of the municipality. He/she is elected by direct majority universal suffrage for a four-year term. His/her role is to manage, coordinate, and implement policies adopted by the municipal council. The mayor is also responsible for the administration and represents the municipality.
Competences
. Secondary educational establishment
. Health
. Social services
. Culture
. Public Services
. Sports and leisure
. Water supply and sewage
. Household refuse
. Road maintenance
Regional level: 6 planning regions and 28 administrative districts
The planning region has no real competences; it has been established for the sole purpose of regional planning and development.
The district is a de-centralised state administration responsible for implementing the government's policy at regional level. Its competences are mainly to supervise the legal decisions of the local authorities and to participate to regional development plans. It is headed by a governor appointed by the Bulgarian government.
