Observation of minority’ opinion
Establishing common opinion in such organization as the LALRG is quite challenging. The more theoretical and less “practical” is the issue, less disagreement. It is not hard to agree upon using the “European Charter of Local Self-Government” to justify the decision of increased or decreased supervision of Ministry. It is easier to agree if the issue is not about specific resources. It is hard to agree if problem solving includes the competition of political parties.
Under the circumstances of possible conflict, it is dangerous to make a decision based on mechanical majority. It would be preferable to achieve consensus or at least a compromise that would partially meet the needs of all government groups. The most common source for a conflict has been the issue of division of resources amid five statutory government groups – novadi, towns, rural municipalities, districts and cities. Based on laws and rules, each group has different possibilities to receive finances and investments.
Therefore, the LALRG tries not to oppose different groups against each other. This principle has been incorporated in statutes of the Association – the veto rights – each of assistant directors has the veto rights to any LALRG decision if they receive the support of more than a half of particular group of local governments.
Till completion of territorial reform, cities were represented by seven municipalities. If four of these municipalities were against the majority of the LALRG (more that 500 other local governments), it would not become the common opinion of the LALRG. The same counts for 14 districts out of 26, and 19 novadi out of 37 (before reform). If the issue had received the veto, then the LALRG had the right only to inform about various views of governments. Then the decision could be made by the Parliament or the Cabinet of Ministers.
Therefore, it is preferable to reach a consensus. Consensus might leave some government groups unsatisfied, because the best result for the group had not been reached. However, something good would be achieved for each group, and the LALRG would have an opportunity to present the common opinion in the meetings.
Forms of organization for different interest groups of LALRG members
(Authorities, politicians, and staff)
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Name
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Legal form
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Brief description of interests represented
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Latvian Union of Cities
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Union, legal entity
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Association registered in 1931. Renewed the work in 1990. Represents interests of towns of districts. After the Reform, towns lost the statute of local government and became towns of novadi. Some of members of association have legal inheritance of the XIII century.
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Latvian Association of Large Cities
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Union, legal entity
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Founded in August 23, 2001. Represents state cities. Before the end of the Reform more that half of the population of Latvia lived in state cities. Members of association were also Valmiera and Jēkabpils that gained the statute of state city only after the Reform. Till then association had specific agreement with those cities.
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Board of Associations of Rural Municipalities
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Not legal entity; regularly functions with support of LALRG; periodically calls for conventions of Chairmen of local governments
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Association of rural municipalities was not legally formed. Represented interests of rural municipalities. It was similar to Union of the Cities between 1919 and 1931. There were conventions of leaders of local governments. These leaders often have caused situations that ere turning points of Latvian politics. Board that represented all districts (members of the Board were elected during Convention) met once a month. There were discussions about political issues and resolutions concerning municipalities that were adopted. In LALRG there is no other organization that would make policies for rural development and agricultural support issues. After the Reform rural municipalities have become novadi.
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Convention of District Municipalities
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Not legal entity
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These meetings are called during the LALRG Congress and when needed – to establish a common position of districts and to nominate an LALRG assistant director of districts. Represents interests of regional governments. After the Reform there are no districts.
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Convention of Novadi Municipalities
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Not legal entity
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These meetings are called during the LALRG Congress and when needed – to establish a common position of districts and to nominate an LALRG assistant director of novadi. Represents interests of novadi. After the Reform there are 109 novadi that have the same competencies as municipalities of state cities.
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Association of Executive Directors
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Not legal entity; member of U.D.I.T.E. (Union des Dirigeants Territoriaux de l’Europe)
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Unites officials – executive directors. The decision about participation in the association is made by the local government. When executive directors change, the place of the former member is taken by the new official. The work of the association is to improve the productivity of management work and to improve the quality of local government services.
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Latvian Association Of Coastal Municipalities
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Not legal entity
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Unites 25 local governments from municipalities at the Baltic Sea coast. Represents their interests. Board is summoned on regular bases. Periodical meetings of leaders are held. The state Administration has a policy that restricts commercial activities at the coast. Local governments that are fighting for their rights of development have specific interests.
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Latvian Association of Employers of Municipalities (LPDDA)
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Union, legal entity
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Members might be individuals or legal entities. Cooperates with the Latvian Employers Confederation.
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Trade Union of Latvian Municipalities
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Trade Union, legal entity
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Cooperates with Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia.
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Five Planning Regions: Rīga, Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale
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Collaborative organization established by law; legal entity; derived legal entity of public rights
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Cooperative institutions that were voluntary established at the end of 1990-s. Represent local governments that are members of it. Territories are based on the Law approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. At first, this was a tool to solve planning and developmental issues of regions. The state Administration has tried to transform regions into national agencies. Because local governments do not have sufficient funds, the regional planning administration is gradually becoming more dependent on state budget. There is a law that has been drafted to establish regional governments on the bases of planning regions.
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As it is seen from the table, not all interest groups are formed as legal entities. Some of them work within the framework of LALRG and receive support from LALRG budget, as well as technical assistance from LALRG management. Latvian Association of Large Cities is fully independent; it finances itself of membership fees and it is able to provide for own activities. However, the work of organizations does not duplicate. All organizations work closely.
Some of associations are formed to represent some specific position within the LALRG. All associations have meetings during the Congress to nominate assistant directors that need to be approved by the Congress. Also, associations have to nominate candidates for representation in EU Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Afterwards, LALRG ensures further progress of the candidates according to national procedures for nomination of candidates to European institutions.
Also, associations organize meetings if they need to defend some important interests, including the decision of using veto rights.
