LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN HUNGARY
Hungary is a unitary State composed of municipalities (települések), counties (megyék) and regions (régiók).
Local level: more than 3100 municipalities, communes, towns, towns with county rank, capital district municipalities, the capital
Municipal authorities
The body of representatives (képviselő-testület) is the legislative board of the municipality. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage. This board is responsible for the management and control of the municipality. Its decisions are presented in the form of resolutions and decrees.
The mayor (polgarmester) is the head of the body of representatives. (S)he must be a member of the body of representatives and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. On the proposal of the mayor, the body of representatives may elect deputy mayors from within its ranks, through a secret ballot. Municipalities of more than 3,000 inhabitants have a full-time mayor.
The Notary is appointed by the body of representatives. The notary prepares and supports the work of the body of representatives and the mayor, and executes their decisions.
Competences
. Local development
. Urban planning
. Protection of the environment
. Housing
. Public transport
. Social services
. Primary schools
. Maintenance of roads, public areas, cemeteries, sewerage
. Water resources
. Fire services
. Culture
Notes
- The capital city, Budapest is organised in two levels: the "capital local government" and 23 districts. These levels are managed by autonomous local entities, with municipal status.
- A municipality can become a town at the initiative of its body of representatives, depending on its level of development and its regional impact.
Intermediary level: 19 provinces or counties (megyek)
Provincial authorities
The county council (megyei közgyulés) is the deliberative body of the county. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. The county council provides public service tasks that municipalities are unable to provide. However, on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity, county local authorities are not allowed to handle tasks that communes and towns wish to keep control of.
The chair is elected for a four-year term from within and by the county council. (S)he is the executive arm of the province and represents the county council.
Note: The county local government and the municipal local government are of equal rights, there is no hierarchy between them.
Competences
. Secondary schools
. Cultural infrastructures (libraries, museums)
. Maintenance of retirement homes and hospitals
. Land development
. Tourism
Regional level: 7 administrative regions
The creation of 7 administrative regions, as defined in 1999, is under process. A clear distinction between regional and departmental competences is not yet defined. These regions are administrated by Regional Development Council, composed by representatives of central and local governments.
