AUTUMN SESSION
CG(14)24
6 November 2007

STANDING COMMITTEE

INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE

SUMMARIES OF THE REPORTS

1.         Local and regional democracy in Croatia

CG(14)21

Recommendation

Rapporteurs : Karsten BEHR (Germany, R, EPP/CD) and
                                 Cees BIJL (The Netherlands, L, SOC)

The report examines the situation of local and regional democracy in Croatia with reference to the European Charter of Local Self-Government and recommends measures for possible improvement. The overall assessment demonstrates an apparent commitment at all levels of government in Croatia to the principle of decentralisation and to establishing real autonomy of operation at local and regional levels. Nevertheless, a number of shortcomings remain to be tackled. The arrangements made to the territorial organisation of Croatia since 1992 have to a certain extent been haphazard, unsystematic and subject to political pressures. They have led in particular to the creation of new, often inefficiently tiny municipalities, unable to exercise sufficiently local self-government. Functions are often imprecisely allocated and their exercise is hampered by the lack of necessary special laws or bylaws. Further significant problems persist in the field of local and regional finance and regarding the lack of legal provisions on consultation of local authorities. The Croatian government is also called upon to extend the scope of applicability of the Charter in Croatia.

2.         Draft Opinion on a preliminary draft recommandation prepared by the CDLR on the evaluation, auditing and monitoring of participation and participation policies at local and regional level.

CG(14)22

Opinion

Rapporteur : Keith WHITMORE (United Kingdom, R, ILDG)

The present opinion draws on the importance of citizens participation in democracy at local and regional level, emphasises the need for assessing the efficiency of citizens participation and participatory policies and expresses the full Congress support to the preliminary draft CDLR Recommendation on the 'Evaluation, auditing and monitoring of participation and participatory policies at local and regional level'.

3.         Local elections in the Republic of Moldova

CG(14)23

Recommendation

Resolution

Rapporteur : Joseph Borg, Malta (R, EPP/CD)

Following an invitation by the Moldovan authorities, the Congress monitored the local elections held on 3 and 17 June 2007 in the Republic of Moldova.  Despite the overall positive administration of election day, the delegation highlighted serious shortcomings, such as intimidation of candidates and media representatives, lack of equal conditions for all contestants, unclear use of administrative resources during the electoral campaign, and concluded that some aspects of the electoral process fell short of international commitments on democratic elections. Observers also reported problems with candidate registration, voters’ lists and the handling of complaints both by election bodies and by the courts. On election day, the delegation was particularly concerned by the inconsistency in the administration of polling stations all over the country and by the fact that ballot secrecy was not always assured. The Congress therefore addresses a certain number of recommendations to the Moldovan Authorities with a view to meet its commitments and fully comply with Council of Europe election principles and standards. Furthermore, the Congress undertakes to closely follow the developments and measures taken towards the implementation of these recommendations, and stands ready to support the Moldovan authorities in their efforts to develop local and regional democracy.

4.         Draft Additional Protocolto the European Charter of Local Self-Government

CPL(14)8

Recommendation

            Rapporteur : Christopher Newbury, United Kingdom (L, EPP/CD)

This report provides background information on the elaboration of an Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which aims at strengthening it in the light of the experience of the monitoring activities carried out by the Congress.

5.         Integration through Sport

CPL(14)9

Recommendation

Resolution

            Rapporteur : Wolfgang SCHUSTER (Germany, EPP/CD)

The Committee on Culture and Education examines sport activities as a tool for reinforcing social ties and supporting the integration of young people, in particular those from immigrant backgrounds.

The Committee is convinced that municipal policies for the promotion of sport must take into all sectors of society, with the help of sports associations, who are privileged partners in providing “sport for all”

6.         Local Democracy in Turkey

CPL(14)10

Recommendation

      Rapporteurs: Anders KNAPE (Sweden, EPP/CD)

                                 Hans-Ulrich STÖCKLING(Switzerland, ILDG)

The Congress recommends that the Turkish authorities permit the provision of public services in languages other than Turkish and allow mayors and municipal councils to take "political" decisions.