Turcja

Abstract

While main principles referring to the local government in Turkey are regulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, particular regulations are formulated by specific laws. Dualism remains the main feature of the Turkish administration: it means that authorities, while having their own capabilities, are also responsible for duties imposed by the central government administration. Local authorities, which are supposed to provide local and common services, are autonomous units created outside the frameworks of the central administration. There are three basic types of local government in Turkey: provinces, municipalities (including metropolitan municipalities) and villages. All three units have legal personalities, separate budgets, and are entitled to impose taxes. Democratic control is inherent in the units of local administration; this control is relatively strong in municipal and rural areas. On the provincial level, democratic control seems to be moderate, mainly due to poor identification of citizens with the highest level of the local government. Financial sources from the general budget are granted proportionally to tasks of each unit. Due to ongoing changes in the social structure of Turkey, main duties of local administration units are nowadays performed by the administration of municipalities and metropolitan municipalities.