Local and Regional Governments in Europe

less than 100,000 have five executive
committee members while those with
more than 100,000 inhabitants have
seven members.
The mayor (belediye başkanı) is the
executive body of the municipality.
He/she is elected by direct universal
suffrage for five years. The mayor
heads the municipal administration
and represents the local authority.
Municipalities with more than 100,000
inhabitants must also open shelters
for women and children.
Special provincial administrations
The provincial council (il genel
meclisi) is the special provincial
administration's legislative body and
is composed of members elected by
direct universal suffrage for a five-year
mandate. It is headed by a president,
elected by and from among the
members of the council.
The provincial executive committee
(il encümeni) is composed of ten
members. Five members are elected
each year by the provincial council
from among its own members via
secret ballot. The other five are
appointed for a one year period by
the governor, from among the heads
of unit of the special provincial
administration. The head of the
financial services unit is mandatorily
one of them.
The governor (vali) is the head of
the special provincial administration.
He/she is appointed by the national
government and represents the
special provincial administration.
Governors represent the central
government apparatus across the
provinces, whereas district governors
do so for districts.
In 2014, the status of 30 provinces was
converted into that of a metropolitan
municipality system and their
special provincial administration
was abolished. Municipalities enjoy
full administrative and financial
autonomy.
Competences
• Health and social assistance
• Public works
• Culture
• Education
• Agriculture and animal husbandry
• Economic and commercial matters
• Urban planning for villages
CEMR in Turkey - Union of Municipalities of Turkey (www.tbb.gov.tr)
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