"The local exercising of public power is a basic national issue" – said András Tállai, the Ministry of Interior’s State Secretary for Municipal Affairs, during the celebration of "Local Governments' Day" on Friday.

In connection with the new system of local government, the State Secretary emphasized the importance of strengthening the population’s security, improving the standard of living, providing the highest possible standard of public services, forming a community among the residents and protecting the future generation. These concepts, as Mr Tállai said, contribute to the rise of the nation.

State Secretary Tállai called the system of local governments one of the most important achievements of the democratic constitutional state. He also mentioned that the first celebration of "Local Governments' Day" took place 12 years ago as a commemoration of the first free local elections of 30 September 1990.

He also mentioned that the present government took over the country in a very bad financial condition and started to reform the system of public services and the legal system. According to the State Secretary, ensuring local public services requires a constantly growing effort from local governments. The government’s basic point of view is that there is a need for higher level services and bureaucracy must be minimized.

State Secretary Tállai said, "The new system is also a good foundation for a long-term future". He also mentioned, "During the formation of the new law local government act it was a basic principle to have a mayor and council of representatives everywhere". He added, "There was also need for the re-structuring of state regulatory tasks in which the state organizations play a bigger role".

Mr Tállai also talked about forming districts. He said, "Education and health institutions previously maintained by local governments will be raised to state-level in order to achieve the highest possible quality of public service accessible to every Hungarian citizen throughout Hungary.

At the event, Mayor of Bihartorda Imre Módos received an award in acknowledgement of his work. An award was also presented to the Association of Cities with County Rights, which was accepted by Lajos Kósa, President of the organisation and Mayor of Debrecen.

(Prime Minister’s Office)