Local Government and European Integration

Posted on Sep 6, 2024 in Geography

Item 5

Local Government

The State is organized territorially into municipalities, provinces, and autonomous regions. Local autonomy is self-administration, not political, because it lacks legislative powers.

Municipality

Municipalities enjoy full legal personality. The councilors are elected by the residents of the municipality. The mayors are elected by the councilors.

The Municipal District: The creation or abolition of municipalities is regulated by the state government.

The Municipal Population: Located in the township, residents are registered to the municipality. Non-residents may be temporarily living in the municipality.

Municipal Organization: Governing bodies of the municipality.

The Common Organization
  • Aldermen delegates
  • Commissions and informative
Mayor
  1. First, council members may be eligible for the top of their lists.
  2. Second, the mayor is elected by an absolute majority of votes of council members.
  3. Third, if no councilman gets such a majority, the alderman who heads the list having the highest number of popular votes is proclaimed mayor.
  4. Fourth, in case of a tie, the mayor will be resolved by lot.

Duties of the Mayor: Directs the government and municipalities, representing the council, convenes and chairs the plenary sessions, and directs the Municipal Police.

The Full City: The municipal body is composed of all council members and chaired by the mayor.

Powers of the Full City: Elect and dismiss the mayor, control and supervise municipal bodies, approve the staff, adopt and amend budgets.

The Local Governing Board: Comprised of the mayor and a council of not more than one-third of the council members.

*Special Commission Accounts (Squares)

Aldermen delegate specific responsibilities to the mayor (culture, supplies, security, environment, etc.).

Commissions Information: Four representatives from political groups are informed of matters subject to decision.

The Open Council System

The municipal regime corresponds to a mayor and an assembly of the neighborhood that comprises all the neighbors. Municipalities with fewer than 100 inhabitants. Municipalities with more than 100 inhabitants traditionally use a different scheme.

Municipal Services

  • In all municipalities of 3,000 inhabitants: Street lighting, burial, refuse collection, street cleaning, household water supply, sewerage, paved roads, food and beverage control.
  • Municipalities over 5,000 inhabitants: All of the above, plus a public park, library, market, and waste treatment.
  • Towns of over 20,000 inhabitants: All of the above, plus civil protection and fire prevention.
  • Towns of more than 50,000 inhabitants: All of the above, plus public transport, urban planning, and environmental protection.

The Province

The province is a local entity determined by the grouping of municipalities and is a constituency for the election of deputies. In Spain, there are 50 provinces.

The Provincial Government

  • Island County: Councils
  • President: Elected by the advisers to the council
  • Plenary: Chairman, Vice-Provincial (Directors)
  • Governing Board: Small group counseling and full
  • Commission: Advisory Committee and special accounts
  • The Full Deputation: Elected every 4 years
  • The President of the Deputation: Represents the deputies and heads the government and administration
  • Island Communities: The special characteristics of island territories determine administrative peculiarities
  • Islands: Each island has a town hall

Other Local Authorities

  • Region: Groupings of municipalities with a historical, geographical, and economic basis
  • Metropolitan Areas: Local authorities consisting of large urban municipalities and towns with economic linkages
  • Associations of Local: Voluntary associations of various municipalities for the joint execution of works or services such as refuse collection, fire, and water supply

Item 6

European Integration

Robert Schuman, in a speech on May 9, 1950, delivered the Schuman Declaration. It called for a stable democracy that guarantees the rule of law, human rights, protection of minorities, a market economy, and a civil service capable of applying and managing EU standards.

Main Stages of European Construction

  • 1992 Treaty of European Union (Maastricht)
  • Force enters the 2002 €.

Symbols of the European Union

  • The European Flag: The flag of the union is blue with 12 stars.
  • The European Anthem: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
  • Europe Day: May 9, Schuman Declaration
  • Motto: Unity in diversity
  • The Euro: The euro is the single European currency

Structure and Functioning of the European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament are grouped by political groups.

European Parliament’s Role

Main Duties: Budgetary functions

Legislative Role: Decision procedure co-government > proposes > Parliament > gives its opinion > Council > decides

European Council

The European Council comprises the heads of state or government of member states and the committee chairman.

Responsibilities of the European Union

Responsibility to pass laws. Presidency of the Council: The council’s rotating presidency.

European Union Commission

: It exercises the executive power are renewed every five years, members are called commissioners. The committee is made up of one commissioner per country. Performs the following functions. Proposes legislation and international representations.