The plight of the regions in a multi-layered Europe

Abstract:

Despite much discussion of multi-level governance within the EU, the EC Treaty takes no account of powers devolved to regional governments under the constitutional arrangements of the Member States. The Member States' privileged status before the EU Courts has not been extended to their regional governments. The regional authorities have sought to challenge Community legislation on grounds that their economic or social interests are affected but, in an apparent denial of their democratic function, the Courts have refused to grant them standing. This principle has been applied even where, as with the outermost regions, the EC Treaty provides that their special interests are to be taken into account when adopting legislation. This makes it very difficult for the regional authorities to protect the interests of their citizens where they are not supported by their Member States at EU level.