Local Elections - Current Situation and Perspective

Ukratko se razmatraju ovlasti i način izbora tijela lokalne demokracije – općinskih i gradskih vijeća, županijske skupštine te općinskih načelnika, gradonačelnika i župana. Hrvatska se dugo premišljala oko uvođenja neposrednog izbora lokalnih čelnika, iako je takav način izbora raširen u Europi. S vremenskim odmakom od provedene reforme, u radu se navode prednosti i nedostatci neposrednih izbora. Poseban naglasak stavlja se na instituciju zamjenika lokalnog čelnika te se ukazuje na zanimljiv primjer iz upravno-sudske prakse. Ukazuje se na probleme nastale zbog neodgovarajuće zakonske regulative institucije zamjenika. Daje se uvid u važeća zakonska rješenja kojima nacionalne manjine ostvaruju pravo na zastupljenost u tijelima lokalne samouprave. Naposljetku se kritički ocjenjuje pripremljena novela Zakona o lokalnoj i područnoj (regionalnoj) samoupravi – de lege ferenda.The paper deals with the authority and the election procedures for bodies of local self-government – the municipal and city councils, the county assembly as well as the municipal heads, the mayors and the county prefects. Croatia has given long thought to the introduction of the direct election of mayors although this electoral system is widely spread in Europe. The introduction of the reform having taken place quite a while ago, the paper deals with the advantages and shortcoming of direct elections. Further stress is being placed upon the institution of the deputy mayors, and an interesting example from the administrative-judicial common practise is being presented. Problems from the inadequate legal regulations concerning the institution of the deputy are also being exposed. Also shown are the applicable legal solutions by which national minorities achieve their representational rights in the bodies of local self-government. Finally, there is a critical evaluation of the newly-prepared legal decree of the Law on local and regional self-government - de lege ferenda