The Re-Institution of Local Self-Government in Eastern Germany

Abstract

After unification the centralized political order of the former East Germany was replaced by a system which gave back the right of self-government to democrati cally elected local institutions. The re-establishment of local government and municipal administration has proved to be difficult, however. On the structural level, the new administrative order only partly fits the actual problems eastern German municipalities are faced with. In terms of personnel, new departmental heads and administrators do not have sufficient ex perience in administration or appropriate qualifi cations in legal matters. Dependent on the help of western German advisers, unfamiliar with democratic procedures and under pressure from citizens and politicians alike, the new local governments have to solve a wide range of political and economic problems. Inappropriate de cisions seem to be inevitable under these circum stances, leading to widespread reproach at being unable to cope with the new situation. Based on an empirical study in several municipalities in eastern Germany, this complicated process of re-establishing a functioning local government and public adminis tration is described and analysed.

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