Sweeping modifications across the whole institutional frameworkgovernance and operation of municipalities and regions is expected to promote K. Theodoris Lebanese In the coming autumn with the deposit in his House New Code of Local Authorities.
The most important changes bring a radical review in the way the following 2028 municipal elections are held, as they provide for the emergence of Mayors and Regional Governors on a Sunday, with abolition of the second round and Activation of alternative vote.
How will it work
According to the promoted changes presented by Mr Lebanios to last Friday’s cabinet, the Self -governing elections in 332 municipalities and 13 regions The country will be held consistently every 5 years, in a round, on the last Sunday of November.
Voters will put a cross of preference in the combination, the mayor or the Regional Governor, and respectively the advisers, just as they have chosen them to date. At the bottom of the ballot paper, however, the other combinations will be quoted in order so that the voter, if he wishes, gives it. Alternative – Supplementary Voting.
After the ballot box is closed, the count will take place in the manner in the 2023 elections. If the first crosses of a combination exceed 42%, then he is immediately elected mayor – regional governor, gathering at least 3/5 of the seats. In this case, the alternative vote is not taken into account. Otherwise, if no combination passes the bar of 42%, then the second phase of the count is immediately activated.
In the second phase are the first two combinations – that is, with the old system they would pass on the second Sunday – and the crosses that have already gathered will be added the alternative votes they may have received from voters who, as the first choice, crucified combinations that did not qualify for the second phase. The winner will be the combination that takes the most votes in both electoral phases.
The example
For example, even if a combination received 40%, B 36%, while the rest of the combinations garnered 24%.
Let us assume that by 24% of others, 5% gave an alternative to the A combination, 10% to B, while the remaining 10% did not choose anyone. The final sum gives A 45% to A and declares B with 46%. According to the interior minister, the new system of election is serving the principles of increased democratic legitimacy, while at the same time facing administrative-financial burdens, as well as the increased abstinence caused by the double showdown.
According to data gathered by the ministry’s competent services, almost half of the voters who participated in the first round are returning to the ballot. It is noteworthy that in the Municipality of Athens in the second round of 2023, only 26.7%voted in Thessaloniki 32.5%and 44.5%in Patras.
In addition, the arrival and involvement of heterodimers becomes almost impossible when they have hundreds of kilometers in a week, and has been found to be transferred to huge administrative burden on the Self -Government Services and Courts.
In addition, the ministry’s leadership plans to provide yet another tool to facilitate voters in exercising their right to electoral right. Following the successful introduction of the letter voting into the 2024 European elections, Mr Lebanese processes the introduction of the electronic vote for self -government elections to any voter who wishes, while maintaining the classic vote with a physical presence.
Transparency rules
According to the content of the new Code, the ministry aims to reduce the financial burden of combinations and candidates, depending on the amount of the relevant fee by the population of each Local Authority and not on the number of candidates.
At the same time, however, it establishes strict transparency rules and monitoring mechanisms of pre -election expenses and television appearances. In addition, it is possible to highlight a specific number of municipal and regional advisers without a cross. The institution resembles State MPs and aims to attract capable scientists and candidates of well -known prestige, who can contribute to local communities.
The Ministry’s thoughts are the introduction of a quota for the participation of more candidates up to 30 years old, as well as the abolition of the possibility of posting civil servants due to election. “Election is a bid to the public and should not be tool as a vehicle of postings, overwhelming public service staff,” the interior ministry sources said.
Regarding the governance system, they are provided, inter alia:
■ Mandatory public consultation on all regulatory acts before being admitted to the Municipal – Regional Council.
■ Exclusively electronic local referendums on municipalities’ jurisdiction.
■ Establishment of a position of service secretary in municipalities over 200,000 inhabitants.
■ Accelerate the decision to review legality within 10 days.
■ Maintenance of the municipal fee to cover reciprocal services and establish Local Development End (TTA), with the integration of Municipal Tax and Real Estate (TAP). The TTA will be freely determined by the municipalities and will be used to cover all costs and investment activities.
■ Restore the Court of Auditors’ preventive audit for warrants of more than 15,000 euros.
Photo: Eurokinissi