Autonomy of Local Self-Governments From a Financial Perspective in Hungary

Abstract

Recently, there has been a constitutional change related to self-governments in Hungary. The article examines the status of Hungarian local governments in comparison with EU member states from a financial perspective. Autonomy has several aspects, but one of the most important factors is financial, which is the basis of an organisation’s operation. Without an appropriate financing system local decision-making cannot work. The research uses statistics of Eurostat, which are a good standpoint for comparative work. Thus, the remarks are of comparative nature. The study deals also with the changes in municipal tasks, because competence is the core of autonomy. Finance and municipal tasks are closely related, which largely determines the level of autonomy. The author examines the connections with the European Charter of Local Self-Government which is implemented by Hungary. Is the Hungarian regulation in compliance with the provisions of the Charter? What will be the future? What kind of trend is in progress in Hungary? Is it in accordance with the EU model? These and other questions are discussed in the article. The aim of the article is to follow up the changes in autonomy of local governments in Hungary and try to predict the future of national self-governing authorities.