Local and Regional Governments in Europe

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
CEMR in Romania – Association of Romanian Communes (www.acor.ro),
National Union of County Councils of Romania (www.uncjr.ro), Romanian Municipalities Association (www.amr.ro)
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