Local Government in the Baltic States: Similar but Different

Abstract

The administrative–territorial structure of local government in the three Baltic countries is very different. In Lithuania, administrative–territorial reorganisation was achieved quickly using command methods, by removing local governments at the municipal level, leaving local governments at county level with average population over 60,000, among the largest in Europe. In Estonia, local government exists in town and rural municipalities, but many are very small. There are administrative structures at county level, but these are part of local state administration, without elections. In Latvia, there are two levels of elected local government, but the municipalities at the lower level are very small. Administrative–territorial reform has been implemented by voluntary amalgamations, and is therefore very slow, leaving a complicated mix of local governments. Local elections at county level have not been held since 1997. The process of amalgamation is now being speeded up from the centre, following extensive consultation. This article compares and contrasts the situation in the three countries. As of today, in Lithuania there is pressure to recreate local governments at a level below the county, while in the other Baltic States the aim is to amalgamate the small municipalities to create more efficient structures.