Theoretical, Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of Municipal Fiscal Autonomy in Bulgaria
Theoretical, Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of Municipal Fiscal Autonomy in Bulgaria

Summary/Abstract: Scientific research in the field of municipal financial policy covers a wide range of issues which include the issues analysed in this paper, viz. the theoretical foundations and the qualitative aspect of regional fiscal autonomy. The article explores the approaches to assessing the fiscal autonomy of local governments. The results of a detailed critical analysis conducted by the authors outline the merits and demerits of the normative and the positive approaches and justify the need for a balanced approach for assessing local fiscal governance. This approach is based on the idea that the process of extending the fiscal powers of local governments is part of a more general trend for public sector reforms to promote the principles of subsidiarity. The balanced approach was used for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the fiscal autonomy of local governments in the Republic of Bulgaria. Empirical data were analysed to assess the financial capacity and relative position of Bulgarian municipalities in comparison with similar structures within the European Union (EU). The general conclusion is that the legislative measures for the implementation of the principles of local self-government are not sufficient for the achievement of an optimal ratio of local to state budget fiscal revenues.

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