LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN CYPRUS
Cyprus is a unitary State composed of municipalities, villages and districts.
Local level: 33 municipalities and 350 villages
There are two different types of local authorities in Cyprus: municipalities (in urban and touristic areas) and villages (in rural areas).
Local authorities
The municipal council is composed of members who are elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term. The deliberative assembly sets up, within the municipality, different commissions, among others the management commission responsible for the preparation of the budget, and other ad-hoc commissions that provide assistance in technical, cultural, environmental, and personnel issues.
The mayor is elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term. The mayor manages the executive board, represents the municipality externally and before any State authority. He also supervises the administration, chairs the municipal council and the management commission.
Authorities of the village
The council of the community is elected by the population of the community for a five-year term. This legislative board is composed of a president, a vice president and of other members, also elected for five years.
The president of the community is elected by the population of the community for a five-year term. He chairs the council of the community.
Competences
. Public health
. Urbanism
. Protection of the environment
. Water supply
. Land development
. Household refuse
Regional level: 6 districts
Villages and groups of villages are established as improvement districts with functions generally similar to those of municipalities.
Authorities of the district
The improvement board is composed of members who are elected for a five-year mandate. The commissioner of the district heads the improvement board.
The commissioner of the district is appointed by the government as its local representative in the district. He heads the improvement board and is responsible for the coordination between central government ministries and the district. The commissioner is accountable to the ministry of interior.
Competences
. Public health
. Construction and maintenance of roads
. Collection and disposal of waste
. Trade
. Promotion of the district
