LOCAL STRUCTURES IN ESTONIA
Estonia is a unitary state composed of rural municipalities (vald) and cities (linn).
Local level: 193 rural municipalities (vald) and 33 cities (linn)
Local authorities
The municipal council (volikogu) is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for four years. It appoints and may dismiss the council chair as well as the mayor. This deliberative body is composed of a variable number of councillors, depending on the demographic size of the municipality. The council is assisted by sector-based commissions. The mayor cannot be the municipal council chair.
The local government (valitsus) represents the municipality's executive board. The government is composed of the mayor and of members appointed by the mayor, following the council's approval. Members of the municipal government cannot sit on the municipal council.
The mayor (linnapea in cities and vallavanem in rural municipalities) is appointed by the municipal council for a four-year term. He/she is the municipal executive board representative but cannot be the council chair. The mayor and the chair of the council may be removed from office by the council, via a vote of non-confidence.
Local competences
. Municipal budget
. Education
. Social welfare
. Health services
. Culture, leisure, sports
. Social housing
. Urban planning and tourism
. Public transport
. Water supply, sewage, public lighting and central heating
. Environment
. Waste collection and disposal, street cleaning, maintenance of cemeteries
. Local taxes
