Issues of municipal power were at the center of President Arnold Ruutel's attention this week, with the head of state supporting amendments to one law and refusing to promulgate another.
In declining to sign a law that would allow members of Parliament to serve simultaneously in local councils, Ruutel said on May 30 that such a situation would reintroduce contradictions in the separation of powers principle.
In the president's words, local councils' activities in deciding on municipal matters must primarily be steered by local conditions and needs, so that council members could make decisions independent of national authorities.
