Municipalities and communities of Greece

Lowest level of government of Greece

The municipalities of Greece (δήμοι ) are the lowest level of government within the organizational structure of the state. As of 2021, there are 332 municipalities, further divided into 1036 municipal units and 6136 communities. Thirteen administrative regions form the second level unit of government. The regions consist of 74 regional units,

Communities are governed by a council (συμβούλιο, symvoúlio) made up of 7 to 11 members and led by a president (πρόεδρος κοινότητας, próedros koinótitas). A deputy chairperson from a communal quarter (if the community has been further divided) may also take part in council meetings when specific issues of a communal interest are being discussed. Municipalities are governed by a municipal council (δημοτικό συμβούλιο, dimotikó symvoúlio) and municipal consultation committee (δημοτική επιτροπή διαβούλευσης, dimotikí epitropí diavoúlefsis), led by a mayor (δήμαρχος, dímarchos). Depending on the size of the municipality, municipal councils are made up of anywhere from 11 to 41 council members representing "municipal departments" (many of which were small communities that had been merged into the municipality). In addition, the council elects 2 to 6 town hall committee members. In the case of mergers, local village or town councils (like communal quarters) may still exist to provide feedback and ideas to the larger governing body. Council members are elected via public election every four years on the basis of a party system. Three fifths of all seats go to the party winning a plurality of the vote and the remaining two fifths of the seats go to other parties based on their share of the vote on a proportional basis. The municipal council elects the town hall committee for a term of two years. The State ultimately oversees the actions of local governments, but the Municipal and Communal Code still provides communities and municipalities with legal control over the administration of their designated areas.

Citizens have very few opportunities for direct participation in decision making outside the elections held every four years. Beyond national referendums that may be called for critical issues, citizens cannot request local referendums. The only other possibility for direct input by citizens is if the local municipality establishes district councils or if the community president calls a people's assembly to discuss issues of concern. The organization of these public opportunities, however, is solely at the discretion of the community or municipal leadership.

Revenues come from both ordinary and extraordinary sources. Ordinary revenue is derived from the State budget, property revenues, and established taxes and fees. By law, the State funds first level governments on the basis of a fixed formula: 20% of legal persons’ income tax, 50% of traffic duties and 3% of property transfer duties. For smaller populated communities and municipalities, the State has also allocated additional revenue based on other expenses (e. g. the cost of supplying water, maintaining road networks, and climate). Local governments are required to direct any property or resource fees to related expenses (e. g. drinking water fees must go towards the maintenance and improvement of the water system). Other forms of taxation or fines (e. g. parking fees) can be used wherever the government deems necessary. Extraordinary revenue originates from sources like loans, inheritances, auctions, rents and fines. Income generation is not limited to traditional service sources. Local governments can also initiate or participate in entrepreneurial activities that include a wide range of possible partnerships. Each year communities and municipalities formulate their budgets in terms of expected revenues and expenses. Financial management and auditing is then based on this plan.

In 1831, the first governor of independent Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias administratively reorganized the Peloponnese into seven departments and the islands into six. These departments were then subdivided into provinces and, in turn, into towns and villages. Opponents of these reforms later assassinated Capodistrias. The Constitution of 1952 (article 99) clearly identified the administrative role of municipal and community authorities. The Constitution of the Hellenic Republic was established in 1975 and in article 102 stated that the first level of government were those of communities and municipalities. Law 1416 was passed in 1984 to reinforce municipal authority over local government. In 1986, the Constitution was modified with the addition of articles 101 and 102 that established local government parameters and relationships. Presidential Decree 410 (Municipal and Communal Code) codified the legislation concerning municipalities and communities in 1995. Law 2539 in 1997, named “Ioannis Kapodistrias,” took 441 municipalities and the 5382 communities and merged them into 900 municipalities and 133 communities. Newly merged municipalities and communities could further subdivide their territory into municipal or communal departments to give some local authority to merged areas. Law 2647 in 1998 transferred responsibilities from the State to local authorities. Law 3852 in 2010, named “Kallikratis,” took the 900 municipalities and the 133 communities and merged them into 325 municipalities. The new municipalities can subdivide their territory into municipal or local communities.