Supervisors info:
Δρ. Σ. Λόζιος, Επικ. Καθηγ. ΕΚΠΑ
Δρ. Χ. Κράνης,
Δρ. Γ. Καβύρης, Επικ. Καθηγ. ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
From ancient times to the present day, it is thought that Local Government is the expression of direct democracy as it is the closest to the citizens of the state. The expression of this popular sovereignty is enshrined in the constitutional system of the country. Throughout the course of the Local Government, the Constitution of 1975 and the Constitutional Revision of 2001 introduced an institutional framework of the finest in the European Union. It was also preceded by the European Charter of Local Self-Government of 15.10.1985, which was ratified by our country by Law 1850/1989.
At the present time the Local Government is facing a long-lasting phase characterized mainly by the gradual retreat of the central state to the benefit of Decentralized Administration and Local Government under the principle of subsidiarity and also by the formation of a new reality in the European area, which is also reflected in the programming of the European Union funds. The framework of the new strategic approach to the European Union's Cohesion Policy sets as a priority the consolidation of cohesion among Member States, which naturally presupposes regional convergence and a reduction of inequalities.
Local Government, in order to respond successfully to the above-mentioned need, inevitably requires the formation of powerful Local Authorities so that it can take full advantage of its comparative advantage which is no other its accessibility of the citizen and the closer contact with him. This aid requires the cumulation of two basic parameters: firstly, the existence of a modern and flexible institutional framework for operation and, secondly, the provision of sufficient resources for the fulfillment of its mission
However, there have been repeated interventions and amendments to the institutional framework of Local Authorities with laws that have hampered the work of the law enforcement. The need for a reforming in line with the new requirements and orders, and scattered by scattered, in-laws, specific fragmented forecasts that created not only difficulties of identifying them but gave the impression of isolated and fragmentary interventions, forced the reformation of the existing institutional framework.
The Kapodistrias Project and the Kallikrates Project aimed at redesigning the local government system with a view to enhancing its effectiveness and pursuing its financial and administrative restructuring. The Kapodistrias plan, which was implemented with the enactment of Law 2539/1997, concerned the forced unification of the first-level Local Authorities.
The Kallikrates program implemented with the adoption of Law 3852/2010 was a very ambitious program for the reconstruction of local government. The Kallikrates Program places particular emphasis on transparency, political accountability and empowerment of citizens through a system of municipal decentralization and participation. There is a head of state with decentralized bodies exercising decisive powers and two levels of self-government able to cope with the needs of serious local and regional development combined with democratic participation, effective settlement of local affairs and serving the citizen.
The aim of this paper is to show that the role of Local Government is crucial for local development, sustainability and the provision of quality services to citizens. A further aim is to study the structural changes in the spatial and administrative organization of the country established by the Kapodistrias Plan and the Kallikratis Program as well as the comparison between them. Two important reforms, whose changes were mainly targeted at the creation of Local Government Organizations capable of promoting development on the one hand and on the other hand of lowering their operational costs.
The research work methodology chosen is a bibliographic review of the collection of selected published primary and secondary sources, books, laws, articles, web pages and other varied informational material relating to the subject of the survey.
The work initially presents a brief historical overview of Local Government in Greece as well as its role in local and regional development. The two reforms are presented below. The reasons for the administrative and financial comparison have been investigated and documented. Finally, the conclusions of the previous analysis are drawn.
Other subject categories:
Social, Political and Economic sciences
Keywords:
Local Government, Kallikratis Project, Kapodistrias Plan, Local Government Organizations, Local Government Reform
