Local government reforms in the period of democratic transition (Hungarian experience)

One of the first steps on the path of democratization in Hungary, as in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe was the restoration of democratic governance in local communities. The first stage was the organization of democratic elections to the already existing local councils. The second step was characterized by the adoption of new legislation in the field of organization, functioning and responsibilities of the new self-government at the local level. In the third stage the question of a further reorganization of the territorial structure and administration of the countries became an issue in the reform agenda. The main lessons from the experience with the decentralization reform of the state were: 1) need for political will and support; 2) need for technical capacity and teams able to work during a long period of time in preparing all the necessary studies and legal instruments; 3) need for mobilizing wide support to the reform in the civil society; 4) choice of optimal time to conduct the reform.