Poland Unitary state

Reforms

Since the implementation of a major territorial reform in 1999, only some marginal reforms have been in the works in Poland.

Political discussions are underway in Poland envisaging to increase local autonomy and flexibility of organisation of some services. These changes should help to increase efficiency and reduce costs, as well as to introduce fiscal incentives for voluntary amalgamations of municipalities. The envisaged changes do not modify the overall structure of the territorial organisation in Poland, but would enhance the autonomy and flexibility of local governments.

A draft amendment on the reform of local public finance was proposed by the national association cities with the support of 300 000 citizens’signatures, but the national government expressed its disagreement with the proposal.

Another debate concerns the organisation of metropolitan areas, with many contributions calling for special governance arrangements around several major urban centres in the country, where 65 cities already exercise the powers otherwise vested in the second-tier level (powiat) of local government. Bottom-up arrangements have taken place in response to a dismissed draft act on metropolitan areas, with the creation in 2007 of the Upper Silesian

Metropolitan Union, joined by 14 cities with county-level powers, concerning over two million inhabitants in total, or with the signature in the same year of the Tricity Charter on co-operation between three urban areas at the Baltic coast.

Lastly, the competences of Polish regions are to be strengthened under a 2009 law.

Local self-government in Poland:

While the financial autonomy of Polish local and regional authorities has been undermined as a result of the crisis and austerity measures, the proposed draft amendment could reinforce this autonomy. The European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified without reservations, seems to be well adhered to in the country.