ABSTRACT
Although the extent of regional autonomy varies across the EU, the third level is a political reality. The rationale of the region lies in increasing democratic choice and accountability in the field of territorial government, but the rise of regional government within the European Union does not always reflect this rationale. In fact, increasing regional influence has often been coupled with a reduction in regional autonomy. For regional autonomy to exist, individual regions must be able to exercise it. Increasingly, this is not the case. Regional involvement, especially in European affairs but also with reference to national policy, relies on regions working collectively. This trend not only reduces regional autonomy, but questions a region’s democratic credentials. When regions work in a collective capacity, it is invariably informal (and secret) and concerns the executive rather than the legislative branch. We therefore see not only a reduction in individual regional policies but also the removal of much decision making from the regional legislative organs. By definition this places a further step between the decision makers and their electorate. The increased power of regional executives is an argument for their direct election. Until recently no regional executives were directly elected, although most Italian regional presidents are now elected by this method, and there are calls for such a system in Austria.
