Mayoral Power – Inter-Municipal Networks and Participatory Appropriations Shared Budgeting: Lessons from French Local Governance

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the drivers of success in French local governance through three key mechanisms: (1) empowered municipalities and mayors as the primary frontline of government; (2) inter-municipal cooperation bodies (EPCI) that integrate resources and cross-boundary services; and (3) Paris’s participatory budgeting (PB) as a systemic form of citizen decision-making over capital investments. Using documentary analysis of legal frameworks (Defferre 1982–83; NOTRe 2015), OECD/EU reports, official Paris PB data, and scholarly sources, the study proposes a “3 pillars–2 conditions” framework (strong mayoral municipalities, EPCI, and PB; underpinned by fiscal discipline and clear competence allocation). This configuration enhances service quality, transparency, and public trust. The study acknowledges limitations from relying on documents rather than field interviews and recommends follow-up research with key stakeholders.