The decision of creating a regional political-administrative organization has been postponed by politicians. Overtime there was the erosion of the responsibilities of Civil Governors whose statutory powers were drastically reduced.The Constitution established that the District will persist until the creation of Administrative Regions (art. 291 of the Constitution) which means that it is a temporary territorial division. The Civil Governors become merely a delegate of central government with powers limited to the representation of central Government at district level, law and public order issues, co-ordination of some public services and civil protection. On the other hand, the traditional control and supervision of Civil Governors over local authorities has been reduced as local government grows in democratic legitimacy and power.
In the same way, the European Commission suggests, in its white paper about “Governance in Europe”, the opening of policy process and the delivering of EU policies for all those involved, asking for the effort of other nstitutions, central government, regions, cities, and civil society (Commission of the European Communities, 2001) stressing the idea of networking arrangements.
The EU report about multi-level governance points out the interest to interlink different levels of decision making to allow “more effectiveness, coherence and transparency in the whole system of public policy-making, as well as broader participation by the various actors concerned” (Working Group 4c, 2001:8).
The report suggests the need to increase dialogue between levels of government, involve local actors and establish
partnerships in the implementation of policies. Particularly, it stresses the need for cooperation as a working method for promoting links between the various actors and “bring together on an equal footing before decisions are taken” on sub-national,national and European levels.
(CONTINUA)
Joaquim Filipe Ferraz Esteves de Araújo
Universidade do Minho, Escola de Economia e Gestão
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