Local and Regional Governments in Europe

Regional level 5 regions* (regioner)
The regional council (regionsrådet)
is the region's deliberative body and
is composed of members elected
by direct universal suffrage for a
period of four years by a system of
proportional representation. It can
establish special committees, such as
the hospitals committee, the regional
development committee and the
sustainability committee, which can
be assisted by dedicated secretariats.
The regional council also appoints its
chairman.
The executive committees (udvalg)
are composed of members elected by
and from within the regional council
for four years. They oversee the
administration of the region and assist
the regional council in the preparation
and implementation of its decisions.
The chairman of the regional council
(regionsrådsformanden) heads the
council and region's administration.
He/she is elected from among the
regional council's members and is
assisted by deputies also elected by
the council.
Danish regions and the Island of
Bornholm are also in charge of a
regional growth forum, composed
of representatives from the region,
municipalities, local trade and
industry, knowledge institutions and
the labour market. Their mission is to
foster optimal conditions for trade
and industry in order to generate
growth and development.
Greenland and the Faeroe Islands
have an autonomous status. They
both have their own government and
legislative assembly*.
Competences*
• Health care
• Hospital provision
• Health insurance
• Mental health treatment
• Social services and special
education
• Regional development
• Business promotion
• Tourism
• Nature and environment
• Employment
• Culture
• Transport
• Soil pollution
* See p.88
CEMR in Denmark - Local Government Denmark (www.kl.dk) and Danish Regions (www.regioner.dk)
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