CLRAE’s delegation visits the Supreme Court
06.05.2010
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) paid a visit to the Supreme Court on April 27.
In the meeting Märt Rask, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, gave an overview of the role of the Supreme Court as a constitutional court in Estonia. Also, judgment No. 3-4-1-8-09 of the Supreme Court of 16 March 2010 that declared deficiencies in the organisation of funding of local authorities unconstitutional was discussed in detail.
The Association of Municipalities and the Association of Cities have asked CLRAE to commence a supervision procedure of the violation of the financial autonomy of local authorities by the Estonian state. According to their letter, the violation lies in the fact that on 20 February 2009 the state adopted the State Budget Act and Related Acts Amendment Act, reducing the portion accruing from personal income tax levied from individuals from 11.93% to 11.4%.
CLRAE represents local and regional authorities of the member states of the Council of Europe (47). During the visit that lasted from April 25-28 the delegation met with representatives of the state, local authorities and associations of local authorities and the Minister of Regional Affairs.
CLRAE`s representatives (left): dr Zoltan Szente, Joss Wienen and Stéphanie Poirel.
Mari-Liis Lipstok
Executive Assistant to the Chief Justice