SECTION 55

(1) Regional and local authorities of the Republic shall comprise Regions and Councils. Any other such authority shall be created by law. (2) Regional and local authorities shall be public law corporate bodies. They shall have administrative and financial autonomy in the management of regional and local interests. They shall be freely administered by councils elected under conditions laid down by law. The duty of the councils of regional and local authorities shall be to promote the economic, social, health, educational, cultural and sports development of the said authorities. (3) The State shall exercise supervisory powers over regional and local authorities, under conditions laid down by law. (4) The State shall ensure the harmonious development of all the regional and local authorities on the basis of national solidarity, regional potentials and inter-regional balance. (5) The organization, functioning and financial regulations of regional and local authorities shall be defined by law. (6) The rules and regulations governing councils shall be defined by law.