LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is a unitary State composed of municipalities and regions.
Local level: about 6240 municipalities (obec)
Municipal authorities
The municipal council (zastupitelstvo obce) is composed of members elected by universal and direct suffrage for a four-year term. This assembly appoints the members of the municipal committees which are deliberative bodies for the municipal council.
The municipal board (rada obce) is composed of members elected by and within the municipal council for a four-year term. The mayor and vice-mayors are always members of the municipal board. This executive body can form specific commissions which are deliberative or executive bodies for the municipal board.
The mayor (starosta) or lord mayor (primátor) is elected by and within the municipal council for a four-year term. The mayor heads the municipal board and administration and represents the municipality. In municipalities with fewer than 15 councillors, the mayor ensures the executive authority by himself.
Competences of the municipalities
- Municipal budget
- Local development
- Agriculture and forest management
- Municipal police
- Water supply and public sewerage
- Municipal waste
- Primary education
- Housing
- Social services
- Spatial planning
- Cooperation with other municipalities and regions
- Municipal public transport
Note: The capital city of Prague is divided in metropolitan districts. Each of them has its own elected local councils. The assembly of the capital is composed of members who are elected by universal and direct suffrage for a four-year term. Councillors of the assembly appoint the lord mayor of the city as well as the members of the executive municipal board of the city.
Regional level: 14 regions (kraje)
Regional authorities
The regional assembly (zastupitelstvo kraje) is composed of members who are elected by universal, equal and direct suffrage for a four-year term. It monitors the regional budget and subventions given to municipalities. It can also submit draft laws to the house of representatives.
The regional board (rada kraje) is the executive body of the region. It is composed of a chief executive officer of the regional authority (hejtman) and vice-chiefs. Together with the other members of the regional board they are elected by and within the regional assembly for a four-year term. The board is the executive body can be assisted by regional services (krajský urad) headed by a director.
Competences
- Secondary education
- Road networks
- Social services
- Environment
- Regional public transport
- Regional development
- Health
- Founding regional companies
- Regional budget
Note: The capital Prague is both a municipality and region with only one assembly and one board.
