Konstituciniai pagrindai regioninei savivaldai Lietuvoje ir kitose vidurio ir rytų Europos šalyse: ar apskričių (regionų) reforma determinuoja konstitucijos pataisų poreikį?

Abstract

Many countries have consolidated local governments into larger units since the 1970s. This is done in the name of efficiency and economy. Within the context of European integration, the appearance of new self-governing regions as political actors is characterized by both Western and Central and Eastern European countries. Also Lithuania implements the development of territorial governance. However, the European Union does not regulate the constitutional status of regions in its member states, as member states consider the form, role, and powers of their regions to be an integral part of their national sovereignty. The Reference Framework for Regional Democracy of the Council of Europe writes: “Regional authorities are territorial authorities between the central government and local authorities. Where regional authorities exist, the principle of regional self-government shall be recognized in domestic legislation and/or by the constitution, as appropriate.”