Fragmentation – the big problem with small municipalities

The main problem of local self-governments in Slovakia is their fragmentation. Up to 92% of all municipalities have less than 3,000 inhabitants. However, municipalities with decreasing populations are not interested in voluntary merging. "At the moment, we are not registering any proposals for the merger of municipalities or towns," said Michaela Paulenová of the Ministry of Interior's press department. The ministry thinks the problem lies in a lack of motivation and does not perceive the merging process as complicated.

Municipalities wishing to merge must first hold a local referendum. The merged municipalities may agree on a new name - otherwise, one will be proposed by the Ministry of Interior. The merging of municipalities creates a new village, while the former disappear. Municipalities may also cooperate without a merger, on the basis of a contract concluded for the purpose of carrying out a specific task or activity.

The disadvantage of small municipalities is that they often lack funding. "Most of the income will be spent on running the municipality, administration and wages, and not on the services that the municipality should provide," said Paulenová, adding that weak human capital is another problem in small municipalities.

"Local self-governments need systemic assistance within the framework of inter-municipal cooperation," said the general director of the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia, Michal Kaliňák, who is planning to introduce a new concept of municipality management in a year's time.

According to data from the Ministry of Interior, Slovakia currently has 2927 municipalities, 141 of which are classified as towns.