Local and Regional Governments in Europe

Regional level 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas)
and 2 autonomous cities (ciudades autónomas)
The regional assembly (asamblea
regional) is the autonomous
community's deliberative body.
Its members are elected by direct
universal suffrage for a four-year
term. It exercises devolved legislative
power.
The regional government
council (consejo de gobierno) is the
autonomous community's executive
body and is headed by the president
who appoints its members. It
regulates and initiates legislation.
The president is elected by the
regional assembly for a four-year
mandate. The president manages and
coordinates the work of the regional
government council and represents
the autonomous community vis-à-vis
the national government.
The autonomous communities can
create their own police force.
The two autonomous cities (Ceuta
and Melilla) are special administrative
units, halfway between a municipality
and an autonomous community.
Unlike the independent communities,
they do not have their own legislative
assembly but do have deliberative
powers.
Competences
• Territorial development
• Civil engineering
• Economy
• Agriculture
• Culture
• Social policies
• Environmental management
• Development of economic
activities
• Health
• Education
CEMR in Spain - Spanish Federation of Municipalities and provinces (www.femp.es)
76