Band 10

One of the most important consequences of European integration is the multiplication of channels for subnational political activity. Regions and Municipalities are no longer constrained to dyadic political relations with central state actors, but interact with a variety of actors in diverse areas. But the possibilities of participation are directly dependent on the different intra-national position and resources of the regions and municipalities. There are enormous disparities across Europe on the level of organisation, financial resources, political autonomy, and political influence. The regions of Germany, which are the Länder, have a quality like states (and for this reason an extraordinary status in European comparison) and because of this a lot of possibilities to influence the political process in a direct way. Contrary to the decentralisation trend in all member states of the EU, because of the weak position of the regions in Greece, Ireland, or Portugal there is only little sign of the kind of territorial convergence implied in the notion of a "Europe of the Regions". Hence, the representation of subnational government in Committee of Region (CoR) is disparate and contested. Therefore the participation in the CoR could only be a second best solution for the German Länder. The CoR plays for them only a subordinate role. The co-operation in the various Council Ministers, direct contacts to the European Commission and national participation procedures are more fruitful alternatives. On the other hand, the CoR is very important for the German Municipalities for getting information on the ongoing political process in order to intervene on time. Due to the heterogeneity of local government in all member states, there is no guarantee that European acts consider the intranational structures. For example, if the planned decisions will have negative consequence for their position as embodied in the German Grundgesetz the Municipalities will feel the need to intervene. For this reason the main task of the CoR must consist in carfully observing the European political process and in informing the Municipalities so that these can look after their interests against National government.