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Ref. CG-PR016 (2017)

Local democracy in Iceland

Strasbourg, 30 March 2017 –The Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress adopted a recommendation, on 29 March 2017, on the state of local democracy in Iceland following a monitoring visit in June 2016. This is second monitoring report since the ratification of the European Charter of Local Self Government by Iceland in 1991.

This document, which was presented by the corapporteurs Mr. Jakob Wienen (Netherlands, EPP/CCE) et Mr. Zdenek Broz (Czech Republic, ECR), underlines the generally satisfactory level of local democracy in the country. The report praises recent developments fostering local self-government, including the promotion of the involvement of local authorities in national decision-making as well as increased inter-municipal co-operation and citizen participation in local authorities. Iceland could be shared as an example of good practice among the members-states of the Council of Europe stated Zdenek Broz.

Nevertheless, the report draws attention to possible enhancements, in particular the clarification of the division of responsibilities between central government and local authorities and a direct applicability of the Charter in the domestic legal system. The Congress recommends that the Icelandic authorities to adopt the necessary legislation to give the Charter legal force in the Icelandic domestic system. “We also call on the national authorities to grant the city of Reykjavik a special status taking into account the particular situation of the Capital city compared to other municipalities” stated Jakob Wienen.

Finally, the Congress invites Icelandic authorities to ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority. In this regards, the Minister of transport and Local Government of Iceland, Jon Gunnarsson, announced that Icelandic laws on Local Government and other legal provisions being in accordance to the Protocol, his Government should be able to finalise this soon.

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Iceland ratified the European Charter of Local Self Government on 25 March 1991. The countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities makes sure that these principles are observed.

·         Report CPL32(2017)06 on Local democracy in Iceland

·         Statement by Jakob Wienen

·         Statement by Zdenek Broz

·         Statement by Jon Gunnarsson 

·         Video of the debate 

·         Interview with Jakob Wienen

·         File : 32nd Session of the Congress

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Planning, Coordination and institutional Communication Unit

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The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions. It brings together 324 full and 324 substitute members representing more than 200 000 European territorial communities.

President of the Congress: Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Anders Knape (Sweden, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP-CCE)

Political Groups: Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CCE), Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG), European Conservatives & Reformists Group  (ECR)