Decentralization and local governance in Lithuania

Abstract

Decentralization encompasses the consolidation of self-governance in sub-national levels of government allocating legal power and financial resources between levels of government respectively. Decentralization is multidimensional concept taking various forms and shapes. The core dimensions of decentralization are: territorial (spatial) – administrative, political and fiscal. Notwithstanding to strivings to establish this configuration for a certain period, but the changing economic, social and technological conditions require its revision. Consequently territorial - administrative division and political and fiscal intergovernmental relations are changing over time. Self-governance is characterized by dispose of political powers, territorial autonomy, autonomous responsibility and optimal combination of original and transferred competencies (Astrauskas & Gecikova 2014). Terms under which local government is formed and functions is an integral part of decentralization which includes the determination of elections, governance rules and sub-national government structure. Lithuania is sovereign country located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. Decentralization process started just after independence restoration in 1990’s and continues throughout all the 25 year period. The questions of territorial – administrative division of state and local self-governance system are constantly on the national policy agenda in Lithuania. There is one- tier local self-government in Lithuania and municipalities are the only sub-national level of government. .[...]