On 28 March 2018, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a recommendation on the situation of local democracy in Liechtenstein following a monitoring visit on 6 and 7 June 2017 to the municipalities of Vaduz, Triesenberg and Planken by the co-rapporteurs, Artur TORRES PEREIRA (Portugal, EPP/CCE) and Marie KAUFMANN (Czech Republic, ILDG).
Presented by the rapporteur, Marie KAUFMANN, on her behalf and that of her co-rapporteur Artur TORRES PEREIRA, the text underlines the good level of local democracy in Liechtenstein, in particular, the healthy financial situation of local authorities and the co-operation between central and local governments. “There is a strong culture of consultation and co-operation between the central and local governments, facilitated by their proximity due to the small size of the country,” said Marie KAUFMANN.
The report nevertheless draws attention to areas for improvement concerning the approval of municipal budgets and of local development plans, which does not allow the powers of local authorities to be full and exclusive. “Under the present system, municipal budgets must be submitted for government approval as a legal condition for their validity,” she explained.
The Congress calls on the Liechtenstein authorities to clarify the allocation of powers between central government and the municipalities as regards planning and development and to abolish the system of government approval of local budgets. The Congress recommends that they formalise in law the mechanism for consulting local authorities so as to better preserve their autonomy. It also urges the authorities to sign the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority.
The Principality of Liechtenstein ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1988. The countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities makes sure that these principles are observed.
** 34th Session of the Congress **
File 34th Session - Agenda – Videos and photos - Mediabox - Congress Mobile App - Twitter #COECongress
