Local participative démocracy in Hungary

The Republic of Hungary Capital: Budapest Mode: republic Base: the Constitution of the Republic of Hungary (Act No. XX of 1949) Neighbouring countries: Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria Surface: km 2 Population: residents

Participative democracy Source: article 42 of Constitution; article 5 of Act on Local Governments Eligible voters of the communities, cities, the capital and its districts, and counties have the right to local self- government.

Participative democracy Source: article 44 of Constitution; article 5 of Act on Local Governments Eligible voters exercise their right to self-government by means of body of representatives elected by them (indirect way) and by local referendum (direct way).

Multi-level regulation

Participative democracy The forms of participation 1. Local referendum 2. Local popular initiative 3. Public hearing 4. Forum of villages 5. Consultation of city-districts 6. Consulting hours 7. Publicity of the sessions of elected bodies (body of representatives, committees) 8. Cooperation with local civil organisations 9. Local media

Local referendum Source: Chapter IV. of Act on Local Governments Initiative ¼ of representatives committees local civil organisations Local constituents (10- 25%) Validity, efficiency Validity = participation > 50% Efficiency = equal answer > 50% The result is obligatory for the body of representatives

Local referendum Subjects -compulsory: modification of area - facultative: competencies of the body of representatives - forbidden: budget, local taxes, organizational-operational-personal questions, putrefaction

Local popular initiative Source: Chapter IV. of Act on Local Governments Initiative: local constituents (5- 10%) Any topics, which belong to the competence of the body of representatives The body of representatives has to deal with the initiated topic

Public hearing Source: Article 13 of Act on Local Governments Every local governments have to hold once a year (compulsory) A special session of the body of representatives The constituents and local civil organisations can ask and make a public proposal

Forum of villages Source: Article 18 of the Act on Local Governmenst Aim: to know the opinion of the citizens about a subject or a decision taken by the body of representatives; the encouragement of the citizens at taking part in preparation of decisions