Izvorni znanstveni članak
New Developments in Local Democracy in Croatia
Ivan Koprić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9086-6937
; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagreb
Mirko Klarić
; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu
Sažetak
The paper analyses traditional and new forms of citizen participation at the local level. The traditional forms of citizen participation are referendum, citizens’ initiative, deliberative assemblies, sub-municipal governance, and occasional consultative meetings. The main new forms are introduction of the direct election of mayors and recall referendum, strengthening the role of local mayors, and independent actors in local politics. Special attention is devoted to comparative
situation with sub-municipal governments. Five modes of fostering local democracy in Croatia are analysed: minority representation, classic forms of direct democracy, direct election of mayors and recall procedure, youth councils, and independent local political actors. Data from 2014 research show that citizens’ initiative, referendum, and consultative meetings are not frequently used participatory
mechanisms in Croatia. Sub-municipal governments have not been
established in one third of local units, indicating their smallness and – probably – the low level of decentralization in Croatia.
Ključne riječi
local democracy – Croatia; local politics; sub-municipal governments; referendum; directly elected mayors; independent local political actors; citizens’ initiative
Hrčak ID:
142729
URI
Datum izdavanja:
28.6.2015.
Posjeta: 2.392 *