Obec

Obec is the basic unit of local self-government in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In both languages the term designates a municipality or village, and an obec can range from a small settlement to a larger town. While some obce have city rights and are referred to as mesto or similar distinctions, the word obec primarily denotes the local government entity at the neighborhood or town level.

Each obec has an elected governing body, typically a municipal council (zastupitelstvo obce) and an executive head known as a starosta in Czech and Slovak. In larger settlements with city status the head may be called primátor. The official staff operates from an obecnístný úřad (obecní úřad in Czech or obecný úrad in Slovak), which handles daily administration and public services. Municipalities may also appoint a deputy mayor or council committees to oversee specific areas such as finance, planning, and culture.

Powers and responsibilities of an obec typically include local planning and zoning, maintenance of local roads and public spaces, waste management, local transportation, and provision of basic public services. The budget, taxes, and fiscal decisions are managed at the municipal level, with transfers or coordination from higher levels of government (regions/kraje and the state). Obce cooperate within regional associations to address shared challenges and may forms unions to manage services more efficiently.

In both countries the term also reflects a broader concept of community governance and civic administration, with obce serving as the primary level of contact between residents and government. The exact structure and powers of an obec can vary by country, size, and status.