Local and Regional Governments in Europe

Insular and mountainous
municipalities have a wider set
of competences, which include
development, environment, quality
of life, health and welfare. They can
also set up special committees for the
promotion of tourism.
Metropolitan areas too have their
own extra set of competences,
such as transport, communication,
environment, quality of life, urban
planning, urban regeneration as well
as civil protection and security.
Regional level 13 self-governing regions (peripheria)
The regional council (peripheriako
simvoulio) is composed of members
elected by direct universal suffrage for
a period of five years. This deliberative
assembly, presided over by the
head of the region, is the regional
authority's decision-making body.
The regional council is composed of a
number of committees, including the
financial and the regional committees
for consultation.
The executive committee (ektelestiki
epitropi perifereias) is the region's
executive body and is composed of
the head of the region and the deputy
head. It is responsible for monitoring
the implementation of regional policy.
The head of the region
(perifereiarchis) is elected by
direct universal suffrage for a fiveyear
mandate. He/she directs
the implementation of regional
development plans, issues all nonregulatory
acts, and implements
the decisions made by the regional
council, the executive committee and
the financial committee. The head of
the region convenes and presides
over the regional council and the
executive committee and represents
the region.
Competences
• Regional development planning
• “Green” development
CEMR in Greece - Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (www.kedke.gr)
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