LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN LATVIA
Latvia is a unitary state composed of local governments (pasvaldiba) and districts (rajons).
Local level: 530 local governments (pasvaldiba)
Local authorities
The local council (dome) is the legislative body. Its members are elected by universal direct suffrage for four years. The council elects the chairperson from among the councillors, and the standing committees.
The committees prepare draft decisions for the council.
The chairman/mayor (mers) is elected by the council for four years. He/she chairs the local council and the finance committee.
Competences
. Provision of utilities (water, heating supply, waste management)
. Public services and facilities
. Public-use forests and waters;
. Primary and general secondary education
. Culture
. Health care
. Social care
. Adoption matters and trusteeship
. Assistance to residents in resolving issues regarding housing
. Facilitation of economic activity
. Public order and civil defence
. Public transport
. Organisation of continuing education for teaching staff
. Child protection
Note
The 530 local governments consist of 444 rural municipalities (pagasts), 53 towns (pilseta), 7 cities (republikas pilseta or republican town - with dual competencies - of local and regional government), 26 amalgamated municipalities (novads - process of their establishment started in 1998).
Regional level: 26 districts (rajons)
District authorities
The district council is the decision-making body consisting of chairpersons of municipal councils of the district.
Any member of the council may nominate a candidate for chairperson of the council from among the chairpersons of local governments of respective district territory. The chairperson of the council is elected by secret ballot.
Competences
. Civil defence measures
. Public transport services
. Education for teaching staff and pedagogical methodology work
. Representation of local governments in regional health insurance fund
Both local and regional governments have a number of voluntary functions.
