LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE EU

Over 60% of decisions taken at the European level have a direct impact on municipalities, provinces, and regions and 70% to 80% of public investments in Europe are made by local and regional authorities. Those two figures alone are proof of the ever-increasing importance of European local and regional government in both our world’s economy and the life of citizens. The current financial, economic and social crisis affecting most of Europe’s national governments means that the future of Europe lies more so than ever in the hands of local and regional authorities.