Local and Regional Governments in Europe

Regional level 32 districts (raioane), the Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial
Administrative Unit and the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti
The district is a territorialadministrative
unit of the second
level, consisting of a large number of
villages and cities and satisfying the
role of a distinct regional entity.
The district council (Counsiliul
raional) is a representative body of
local government, elected through
free and universal elections. The
district council sets up a permanent
board as a working body and
executive authority comprised of the
chair of the district, vice chairs and
their executive apparatus.
The chair (presedinte) of the district
is elected by the regional council
for 4 years. He/she is at the head of
the region's executive branch or
apparatus. The executive body at the
regional level is called the district
chair's office (Aparatul Presedintelui
raionului).
The executive body is responsible for
the administration of regional affairs
and implementation of the decisions
of the district council.
Competences
• Management of property
• Regional public transport
• Spatial planning
• Economic development support
• Local gas and heat distribution
• Education building maintenance
• Cultural, tourism and sport
management
• Social assistance
The Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Administrative Unit (Gagauz-Yeri)
Gagauzia is an autonomous
territorial unit having a special
statute and representing a form of
self-determination of the Gagauzian
people. As a special territorial unit it
has its own assembly, the Gagauzian
people's assembly (in Gagauz:
HalkTopluşu; in Romanian: Adunarea
Populara), which enjoys lawmaking
powers within its own jurisdiction,
and a governor (Gagauz: Başkan;
Romanian: Guvernatorul Gagauziei)
holds the executive power. She/he is
elected by direct universal suffrage
for a period of four years. Permanent
executive power in Gagauz-Yeri is
exercised by an executive committee
(Bakannik Komiteti/Comitetul Executiv).
Its members are appointed by the
governor or by a simple majority vote
in the assembly at its first session.
The executive committee ensures
the application of the laws of the
Republic of Moldova and those of the
Gagauzian assembly.
Competences
• Science
• Culture
• Education
• Housing management
• Urban planning
• Health services
• Physical culture and sports
• Local budget, financial and
taxation activities
• Economy and ecology
• Labour relations and social security
• Own police force
• International and foreign policy
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