Direct Election of Mayors in Lithuania: Ongoing Debates and Fresh Experiences Cover Image

Tiesioginiai merų rinkimai Lietuvoje: užtrukę debatai ir šviežia patirtis
Direct Election of Mayors in Lithuania: Ongoing Debates and Fresh Experiences

Author(s): Liudas Mažylis, VAIDA LEŠČAUSKAITĖ
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Governance
Published by: Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas
Keywords: Savivalda; Tarybos; Merai; Rinkimai; Lietuva; Local government; Local council; Mayor; Elections;Lithuania;

Summary/Abstract: Remiantis naujojo institucionalizmo teorine prieiga, rekonstruojant politikos ir, iš dalies, žiniasklaidos diskursus, apžvelgiamos ir analizuojamos politinės diskusijos dėl tiesioginių mero rinkimų. Apimamas laikotarpis nuo idėjos užuomazgos 1993–1994 m. iki jos įgyvendinimo 2014 m. priėmus tai reglamentuojančius įstatymus ir 2015 m. įvykus pirmiesiems rinkimams. Pateikiama teisės aktų raidos analizė, faktinių rinkimų rezultatų analizė. Apžvelgiamos pirmosios patirtys bei numanomos implikacijos tolesnei savivaldos raidai. This paper employs theoretical approaches of new institutionalism and reconstruction of political and media discourses in order to analyse political discussions regarding the idea of directly elected mayors. The timeframe of analysis is broad – from the very beginnings of this idea, back in 1993–1994, to its implementation in 2014 (when laws regarding direct elections of mayors were passed) and 2015 (when the first direct mayoral elections were held). The paper contains analysis of changes in the legal system, and also analyses the factual results of the election. First experiences are recorded and guesses are made about the possible outcomes this change might bring to the further development of the local government.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 17
  • Page Range: 33-56
  • Page Count: 24
  • Language: Lithuanian