Wednesday, November 8, 2000

Changes afoot in regions Analysts say Nov. 12 regional elections key to country's future By James Pitkin In a return to a structure of government reminiscent of communism's regional national committees, Czech voters are set to elect deputies to new regional assemblies in upcoming elections on Sunday, Nov. 12. A law that took effect in January carved the nation into 14 newly outlined regions, devolving some of the national government's power to local bodies. The changes will take effect in all regions except Prague, a district in itself which will gain its own assembly in 2002. Analysts see the regional elections as more crucial to the country's future than the Senate polls on the same day. "This will create 14 new centers of power to offset the central government," said political analyst Jiri Pehe, a former adviser to President Vaclav Havel. "The country will never be the same." Under the new system, the regional assemblies gain a number of powers now wielded by the ministries, especially in education, health care and transportation. Local deputies will decide on budgets and plan the development of hospitals, schools and roads -- tasks that have been performed by Prague since the old regional bodies were dissolved in 1990. The change comes after years of wrangling in Parliament. The right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS) regularly vetoed the bill since its proposal in 1994, citing its lack of limits on regulations the assemblies might impose and the creation of "unnecessary" divisions within the country. The bill was passed in 1997, after ODS concessions. But Pehe suggests their real concern may lie elsewhere. "Until now it was very easy for the parties' centers to squash opposition [within the party], because regional members lacked any real power," he said. "Now they will have it." But analysts say it won't be easy for the regions to capitalize on their powers. "People will have to identify with their regions," said Bohumil Dolezal, a political scientist at Charles University. "I'm not convinced they now feel [that way]." Some 200 towns have already protested the layout of the new districts, saying they do not respect traditional borders. The main complaints come from the border between Bohemia and Moravia. The new regions vary greatly in size. The smallest is the Karlovy Vary region in west Bohemia, with just 305,000 inhabitants, while the largest is the Ostrava region in north Moravia, with 1,283,000. The new assemblies will comprise 45, 55 or 65 members, according to the size of the region, and each assembly will elect a regional council, headed by a governor. Although the letter of the law is clear, the real outcome of this experiment in regionalism will only be seen in time. "It's important how it will be done," said Dolezal. "Not the theoretical or formal rights, but the real power the districts will be able to gain. Whether it will just be an increase in bureaucracy will depend on how it's handled." James Pitkin may be reached at jpitkin@praguepost.cz More news stories Crime and punishment The Hollywoodesque escape of a murder convict highlights the rise of violent crime in the Czech Republic Czech 'Alcatraz' houses horrors By Brian Hannon Slouf vs. Pithart: History goes to the polls Former communist and dissident fight for position in key Senate election Aristocratic sojourn Prince Charles highlights ties of Prague, London in three-day trip Temelin deal risks collapse Activists renew protests despite compromise by Zeman, Schussel Czech Republic flunks graft quiz Transparency report says corruption has shifted to new areas U.S. credentials in Prague CERGE-EI is first graduate school in former Soviet bloc to win U.S. accreditation Klaus logs on Ex-prime minister, a longtime Internet foe, launches Web site Czechs, Roma discover power of stories New project seeks to break racial barriers through storytelling A battle over meaning Activist, government clash over changes in wording on new Lety memorial NEWS BRIEFS