Bosnia and Herzegovina Federal state

Structures and competences

Local level :

57 municipalities and 7 cities in the Republic of Srpska, 74 municipalities and 6 cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brcko District

Municipalities and cities (gradovi) are also called local self-government units and are both executive and legislative authorities.

The municipal assembly (skupština opštine or općinsko vijeće) is the local governement’s decision and policymaking body. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. The municipal assembly notably adopts the municipal budget and can appoint or dismiss members of the municipality or city’s permanent and temporary working bodies.

The mayor (načelnik opština or općina in municipalities and gradonačelnik in cities) is the executive body of the local governement. He/she is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years*. The mayor can put forward draft legislative proposals to the municipal assembly. He/she also implements local policy, has responsibility for the execution of the municipal budget and enforces national laws and regulations to be implemented at the local level.

Cities and municipalities are encouraged by existing local government laws to establish companies, institutions and other organisations so as to help manage, finance and improve local infrastructures and services.

*There are some exceptions for certain mayoral elections. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the mayor of Mostar and the mayor of Sarajevo are not directly elected. Instead they are elected by the cities’ assemblies. In the Republic of Srpska, this is also the case for the mayor of the city of East Sarajevo.

COMPETENCES

City and municipalities are the key providers of essential public and social services.

• Economic development
• Spatial and urban planning
• Social care
• Civil protection and defence
• Environment
• Heating
• Local roads
• Sewage and solid waste disposal
• Water
• Culture and tourism
• Housing
• Pre-school
• Sports
• School building maintenance
• School bus transportation
• Ambulance services
• Health care supplies

Regional level :

10 cantons (kanton ou županija)

Cantons, which have their own regional government, are federal units within the entity of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All cantons are ethnically mixed and thus have special laws so as to ensure equality amongst all citizens.

The premier (premijer) is at the head of the canton. He/she is assisted in his/ her duties by a number of cantonal ministries, agencies and services.