127-142

• Kyrmizoglou, Pantelis

This paper focuses on the role of Local Government, as it is determined in the framework set by the Central Government. In most of the municipalities, the expectations of their citizens from the elected local authorities (irrespective of their political beliefs) exceed by far the tasks implemented by them. Considering the respective shares of responsibility, the reasonshave to do both with the role of Central Government and the weaknesses of the municipalities themselves. The Central Government does not seem to trust municipalities, asboth the delegation of authorities and the respective transfer of resources are very slow, limited and disputed. On the other hand, the Local Government does not take full advantage, even of the existing framework, which has to be rectified anyway. Under the current conditions the role of Local Government must become more active, facing the citizens not only as voters but in the same time as members of a community that desperately needs evidence of more and better services as a result of good administration with maximal transparency.

• Economics and Business

• Economic policy

Local Government, Central Government, Municipalities of Central Macedonia

JEL classification System: R5 – Regional Government Analysis