Romania Unitary state

Structures and competences

Local level :

2,861 municipalities (comune), 217 towns (orase) and 103 cities (municipii)

The local council (consiliul local) is the local government’s deliberative assembly. It is composed of councillors elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. The number of councilors is determined by order of the prefect based on the demographic size of the local government. The local council’s work revolves around economic, social and environmental development, public and private property and the management of public services.

The mayor (primarul) is the local government’s executive body and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. He/she is responsible for the local budget and public services. The mayor also represents the local government vis-à-vis other authorities, represents the national government within the municipality, town or city, and cooperates with the decentralized departments of national government ministries and specialised units present within its jurisdiction.

COMPETENCES

• Housing
• Local police
• Urban planning
• Waste management
• Public health
• Transport infrastructure and urban transport planning
• Water supply and sewage system
• District heating
• Pre-school, primary, secondary, vocational and technical education
• Local heritage administration
• Administration of parks and open green public areas

Regional level :

41 counties (judete)

The county council (consiliul judetean) is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. It monitors the implementation of provisions outlined in public administration-related legislation. The council is also responsible for the distribution of public funds, for the economic, social and environmental development of the county, for managing county property and for managing certain public services.

The president (presedinte) heads the county council and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. He/she is in charge of the legal representation of the council vis-àvis third parties. The president can delegate responsibilities to the two vice-presidents, appointed by the members of the county council.

The prefect (prefect) is appointed by the national government. The prefect is the guarantor of law and order at the local level and ensures the legality of the administrative acts adopted by local public administration authorities. He/she represents the national government within the county and ensures that national government strategies and programmes are implemented at the regional level. There are 42 prefects in total: one for each county and one for the capital city of Bucharest.

There is no subordination between local councils and county councils.

COMPETENCES

• Regional development
• Economic, environmental and social development
• Management of public services
• Urban planning and landscaping
• Water supply
• Sewage
• Public transport
• Public health
• Transport infrastructure
• Social assistance
• Education
• Cooperation between local and national authorities