Perspectives on European Local Government:

The Adoption of Council-Manager Model of Governance in Croatia: An Exploratory Study

“…In transition countries, those moving from authoritarian to democratic governance, particularly in countries which have sought to move toward greater integration with the European community, local governments have encountered unique challenges in adhering to fundamental concepts and values of representative democracy (Lackowska et al 2021; Szent-Ivanyii 2014). There are numerous conditions beyond post-communism which affect public administration reform.…”

“…These include the backsliding of democratic principles in countries such as Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey; the lack of capacity of these local governments; the strength of non-governmental organizations (Bochsler and Juon 2020; Szent-Ivanyi 2014); influence from the European Union (EU) itself; pressures from political parties; local and global economic crises, and more (Meyer-Sahling 2009). These factors all combine to influence the varying success in implementation of democratic action, which has led to diminished expectations of citizens in post-communist countries, and has led to a failure to satisfy some of the core principles for local self-governments required by the European Union (2015; Karayiğit 2016; Lackowska et al 2021; Petrova 2012; Szent-Ivanyii 2014).…”