LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN HUNGARY
Hungary is a unitary state composed of municipalities (települések), counties (megyék) and regions (régiók).
Local level: 3175 municipalities (települések), cities, cities with county rank, capital city districts and the City of Budapest
Local authorities
The body of representatives (képviselő-testület) is the municipality's legislative body. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage and is responsible for the management and control of the municipality. Its decisions are presented in the form of resolutions and decrees.
The mayor (polgármester) is the head of the body of representatives. He/she must be a member of the body of representatives and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. On the mayor's proposal, the body of representatives may elect deputy mayors from within its ranks, via secret ballot. Municipalities of more than 3 000 inhabitants have a full-time mayor, while in municipalities of less than 3 000 inhabitants, the body of representatives can determine whether the mayor holds a part-time or full-time position.
The notary is appointed by the body of representatives. He/she prepares and supports the work of the body of representatives and of the mayor and executes their decisions.
Local 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
Note
The City of Budapest, the Hungarian capital, is composed of two levels: the capital city's local government and the 23 district local governments. These two levels are managed by autonomous local entities, which have the status of a municipality.
A municipality can become a city at the initiative of its body of representatives, depending on its level of development and its impact at the regional level.
Cities with more than 50 000 inhabitants can gain the rank of a county. However, this process is quite rare in Hungary, as the last municipality to have gained county rank was the City of Érd in 1994.
Intermediary level: 19 counties (megyék)
Intermediary authorities
The county council (megyei közgyűlés) is the county's deliberative body. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. The county council provides the public services that municipalities are unable to provide. However, based on the principle of subsidiarity, county authorities cannot take over the competences that municipalities wish to handle.
The county chair is elected for a four-year term from within and by the county council. He/she is the county's executive branch and represents its council.
Note
There is no hierarchy between local and county authorities as they have equal rights in the eyes of the national government.
Intermediary competences
. Secondary schools
. Cultural infrastructures (libraries, museums, etc.)
. Maintenance of retirement homes and hospitals
. Land development
. Tourism
Regional level: 7 statistical and administrative regions (régiók)
In 1999, seven statistical and administrative regions were created. These do not function as public administration units and do not have an elected government.
The regional development council, composed of representatives from the national and local governments, runs the region's administration.
Regional competences
. Decentralisation of funds
. Regional planning
. Economic development
. Human resources
. Inter-regional cooperation
Note
The Hungarian Constitution is currently under revision. It should be updated and put into operation by 1 January 2012.
