PM Orbán to continue centralizing local governments?

According to Hír TV, if Fidesz wins another 2/3^rd majority in April, they will continue centralising the local governments. For example, there will be a mayor only in the county towns. Interestingly, Policy Solutions already wrote about this plan in its annual review of Hungarian politics published two weeks before. The international think-tank stated that following a victory in 2018, “it would not be surprising if Fidesz would take further steps towards the reduction of the role of local governments.” The opposition believes that the motivation behind this decision is solely political.

Eliminating the autonomy of local governments?

PS added then that Fidesz’s victory might result in further governmental expansion in the economy, the media, and local governments. It seems now that they might be right in case of local governments.

For example, Szabad Pécs wrote that if Fidesz gains super-majority again

there will not be mayors and local representatives any longer in places with less than 5,000 residents.

According to the plans, these towns and villages will only be able to elect a magistrate. Consequently, he/she will be able to represent their interests in the future district councils. According to the chairman of the Hungarian Association of Local Governments, such a plan has been on the plate of the government for long.

György Gémesi added that settlements with less than 2,000 residents do not have an own bureau. Besides, their administration is centralised through the informatics system. To make matters worse, Hungarian State Treasury is to centralise the management of the local governments’ accounts, too.