In a monitoring report on the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, debated today, the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities called on Liechtenstein to review its current system of local budgets’ supervision and to clarify the division of competences.

The rapporteurs, Xavier Cadoret (France, L, SOC/G/DP) and Marjorie Crovetto (Monaco, L, NR) noted with satisfaction the country’s general compliance with the Charter, the robust financial situation of local authorities, the introduction of a horizontal equalisation system and the existence in practice of well-established procedures for consultation of local authorities. They welcomed the highly developed direct democracy practices in local matters and Liechtenstein’s de facto compliance with the Charter’s non-ratified provisions.

However, the rapporteurs expressed concern about the a priori approval system for municipal budgets, the overlap of some competences limiting the local authorities’ full and exclusive power, the absence of legislative provisions regarding consultation mechanisms with local authorities, and the inadequate spending power of the mayor of the capital city, defined by the law.

The Congress recommended that Liechtenstein abolish the system of a priori supervision of local budgets and introduce a posteriori control, clarify the division of competences, institutionalise the consultation mechanism through legislation, and consider ratifying the Charter’s provisions the that are complied with in practice. The recommendation also calls on Liechtenstein to review the maximum amount of the capital city mayor’s expenditure and to considers signing and ratifying the Additional Protocol to the Charter on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority.

This report follows the third monitoring visit to Liechtenstein since the country ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1988. Countries that have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European foundation of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities ensures that these principles are respected through its monitoring activities.

Contact: Estelle Steiner, Spokesperson/Press officer, Directorate of Communications, tel.: +33 3 88 41 33 35

 Monitoring of the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Liechtenstein

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48th Session
Agenda – Web file – Photos