BETWEEN DECLARATION AND CENTRALIZATION: LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN BUKOVINA UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY OF ROYAL ROMANIA IN 1918–1938

Abstract

The article examines the process of institutional formation and functioning of the local self-government system in the territory of Northern Bukovina after its annexation to the Kingdom of Romania in 1918. The author analyzes the regulatory and legal framework of governance in the region, in particular the implementation of the provisions of the 1923 constitution, the 1925 law on administrative unification, and the accompanying bylaws.It is noted that, despite the proclamation of the principles of decentralization and democratic governance, the actual administrative policy of Romania regarding the annexed territories, including Bukovina, was characterized by the centralization of powers, the elimination of autonomous bodies typical of the Austrian administrative system, and the appointment of loyal temporary governing bodies.After the adoption of the 1925 law, local self-government acquired a two-tier structure: communities (rural and urban) and counties. Communities had the status of legal entities, formed public councils of elected and official members, who had the right to make decisions on issues of local importance: education, healthcare, culture, improvement, cooperation, etc.The leading person in the community was the mayor, who was elected for a term of 5 years.The mayor had broad powers, including the implementation of council decisions, regulation of administrative activities and representation of the community before state bodies. County councils were formed taking into account the size of the population and included both elected councilors and representatives of key ministries and institutions. Their activities were aimed at implementing general state and local tasks in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social protection.Along with public and county councils, there was a vertical executive administration: prefects, sub-prefects, praetors, notaries, who implemented the functions of central government in the localities. The prefect was the government representative in the county, coordinated the activities of administrative services and exercised general control over compliance with the law.Special attention is paid to the status of suburban communities, which could be attached to the urban community, but retained partial autonomy. The author emphasizes the complexity of the legal procedures that accompanied the change in the status of settlements, as well as the interaction between urban and suburban administrations.Considerable attention in the work is devoted to the personal composition of local councils, requirements for employees, as well as the role of such key figures as the community secretary, notary and employees of specialized departments (veterinary, sanitary, technical, etc.). The classification of administration employees by categories (general administrative, specialized) is presented, their functional responsibilities and the procedure for appointment are described.Thus, the author of the article concludes that the Romanian model of local self- government in Bukovina combines elements of democratic representation with instruments of strict administrative control, which ultimately ensured the preservation of the unitary model of public administration in a multinational region.