Transparency comes first

All political parties have, at least in rhetoric, adopted the demand for substantial decentralization, by granting more powers and more resources to local governments.

However, a condition for such a reforming step is to first ensure that local governments operate with greater transparency and accountability. First they need to gain credibility and financial soundness - which unfortunately they do not have right now - so that they can undertake even more important and costly work.

The government's initiatives are now leading to this institutional path of more transparent administration.