Page 9 - Europa-ERPA-N2
P. 9
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION
Financial Assistance the Portuguese political and territorial closed and 27 other are converted into NEWS
organization but to address structural proximity sections (few new cases per year
Within the framework of European Union causes of public expenditure. but poor transportation conditions). 7
financial assistance to Portugal, it was
signed, on the 3rd May 2011, a Memorandum More important than the goal of the reform In the proximity sections, it is possible to
of Understanding (MoU) on Specific or its results, it’s the criteria that were submit documents and to query processes
Economic Policy Conditionality 1. followed: reduce / close meaningless local and, should the judge decide, carry out
branches, due to low population / demand, trials. These proximity sections function
The Chapter of the MoU on Public but always ensuring easy access to same as an extension of the court.
Administration stated that the government public services nearby.
would develop a consolidation plan to Reduction of tax local branches
significantly reduce the number of local Merger of parishes
government administration entities It is also being studied the reduction of the
(comprising 308 municipalities and 4 259 In terms of local government, it was number of tax local branches. The PRACE
parishes). decided not to change municipalities, – Central Administration Restructuration
which have deep historical and cultural Program – proposed to close 121 of those
These changes would come into effect by roots, besides political meaning, and local branches.
the beginning of the following election instead reduce the number of parishes
cycle (2013-2017) and would enhance (from 4 259 to 3 091), through a merger The PRACE also suggested the merger of
service delivery, improve efficiency and operation. tax administration and social security local
reduce costs. branches billing services with the local
New judicial map governments billing services.
The government was also tasked to
ascertain potential duplication of activities A new judicial organization, based on a (1) On the 8th of April 2011, the Eurogroup and
between the central administration, local court per district (23), is being implemented ECOFIN Ministers issued a statement clarifying
administration and locally-based central in Portugal. That court will function in that EU (European Financial Stabilisation
administration services and to eliminate sections - which will have generic or Mechanism) and euro-area (European Financial
the identified inefficiencies. specialized competence, depending on a Stability Facility) financial support would be
series of factors - throughout its territorial provided on the basis of a policy programme
Finally, the number of local branches of base. supported by strict conditionality and
line ministries (e.g. tax, social security, negotiated with the Portuguese authorities,
justice) was set to be reduced. Those From the existing 311 courts, 264 will be duly involving the main political parties, by
services would be merged in citizens’ shops converted into 218 central instance the Commission in liaison with the ECB, and
covering a greater geographical area and sections (more complex and serious cases the IMF.
developing further the e-administration. – over 50 000 euros or prison over 5 years)
and 290 local instance sections.
Measures
The courts having less than 250 new cases
The scope of the undergoing reform is not per year located in areas will fair
to transform the main characteristics of transportation conditions (20) will be
Administrative and territorial organisation of
states in Europe - Hungary
István TEMESI
Ph.D., Associate Professor,
National University of Public Service Budapest
Despite the adoption of a new Constitution see the change of the text from the old elected authorities and the special
called ‘Fundamental Law’ of 2011 and a 1949 Constitution1 concerning the division administration is represented by
new Local Government Act, Hungary has of the country, there are few changes deconcentrated bodies.
retained its traditional administrative and indeed.
territorial structure. However, one can Most provisions of the new Local
see that certain modifications represent The administrative organisation follows Government Act3 entered into force on 1
some diversion from the previous this division in principle defined by the January 2013. This law has expanded the
institutional systems. constitution with some digressions in the types of territorial units of the
system of local government and also in decentralised administration under the
The Fundamental Law of Hungary, adopted the system of deconcentrated institutions. Constitution. The new law keeps the
on 25 April 2011, does not change the Examining the administrative organisation municipality - including the village (2706),
territorial division of the state. Pursuant of Hungary shows that the local the town (304) and the city (23) - and the
to Article F, Section 2, the territory of government system keeps the duality county (19), and the capital and its
Hungary is divided into counties, cities created in 19902. In this dual system of districts (23) as units of local authorities.
and towns and villages. Cities can be local administration, general It also keeps the two-tier system. But
divided into districts. Although one can administration is represented by local among the municipalities, the law
EUROPEAN REVIEW ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION - N°2 - MARCH 2016
