NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS DECLINING IN IMpORTANCE As more key powers are transferred to Brussels, it poses an existential question for central governments. But regions are anxious to step into the breach. By: Honor Mahony recent study on public finances by the European Commission A found that member states, even traditionally centralised ones, have “generally increased” their decentralisation in recent decades. This is true not only for policies such as local infrastructure, but also for education, social protection, housing and health care. Meanwhile, regional and local public spending has increased in most member states and local authorities are broadly accounting for a larger share of the general government deficit. Amid this trend comes the transfer of core state activities, such as budget planning and spending, to the EU level. “In my opinion national central governments will become less important and will lose more power. They will become more and more impotent,” says Franz Schausberger, founder of the Austria-based Institute of the Regions of Europe. REGIONS HAVE TO BECOME STRONGER To compensate, he notes, “regions have to become stronger, so that citizens can strengthen their identity and participate in regional and local democracy.” But Schausberger, who is also a professor of modern history at Salzburg University, says calls for decentralisation are not to be confused with the “separatist” movements of Flanders, Scotland and Catalonia. The independence movements in these countries have different historical, political, economic and mostly nationalistic causes. “If people in the regions are satisfied then the common Europe will be strong. If not, then we will have the contrary development. I always say that decentralisation is the contrary of separatism.” To the criticism that regionalism, particularly in richer areas, can seem like a call to close the door to less well-off regions, Schausberger answers that solidarity “must exist in Europe.” That richer regions such as Salzburg pay a bigger contribution to the common Austrian pot than poorer regions is clear to a “certain limit” In my opinion national central governments will become less important and will lose more power. “In economically good times, it is no problem that the regions are paying into a common pool for the whole state, but if there is an economic crisis, then they also feel it,” he says, in reference to Catalonia, where there is a strong independence movement and anger at the level of transfers it makes to the rest of Spain. “They say: it is no longer so easy for regions to pay and they look for something in return – such as own taxes and fiscal decentralisation. Then the central government has to discuss with them. If they don’t, they will look for a radical solution.” The other danger the current economic crisis brings with it, according to Schausberger, is the “general trend” across Europe of central governments cutting back on regional spending. New EU treaty In Austria, which along with Belgium and Germany, is considered to be a fully federalised state, “there are a lot of discussions, as well as concrete moves, to reduce local and regional democracy.” “But you need to offset national governments losing power. People should have the possibility to identify more and more with their regions as a counterpart to the not-verytransparent, but more powerful, Europe.” His answer is a new treaty convention with a “major focus” on decentralisation. Brussels should stick to “major issues” such as economic governance and stop trying to regulate on minutiae. “The national level will never disappear but there should be an equal importance between Brussels, national and regional levels” he said. 6 OCTOBER 2013 REGIONS & CITIES
Assembly of European Regions Youth and Students Community Campaign The AER Youth and Students Community gathers young people aged from 16 to 30 who are willing to discover Europe's regions, to know more about the main European regional issues and to meet people from all over the continent. This win-win deal will allow them to get special benefits while becoming ambassadors for the regional dimension. The Youth and Students Community is part of the so-called ‘World of AER’, which is a platform between political leaders, businesses, European institutions, thematic networks and other stakeholders interested in the regional fact in Europe. The Assembly of European Regions is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together nearly 230 regions from 35 countries and 15 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation. Extra benefit tailored for You(th)! • Being part of a wide network of Youth, regional leaders, enterprises, institutions and associations • Privileged links with the AER Youth Regional Network YRN is a unique platform of regionallevel youth parliaments, councils and organisations from wider Europe giving young people from diverse regions a collective voice on the European stage. YRN work includes: networking, influencing policy, exchanging best practice and experience as well as promoting sustainable governance. YRN main goals are strengthening young people’s involvement in politics, contributing to intercultural dialogue and the increase of youth participation in democratic life. Next YRN event: Covasna (RO), 14-17 November, on the Role of Education in Inclusive Society. Together, let’s discover the diversity of European Regions! How to join? Nothing easier, just contact us! www.aer.eu OCTOBER 2013 REGIONS & CITIES 7
