Subnational elite as transformation agents of the European Union political space

The article puts and explores a question about the actors of the European political space, if this space has the only one strategic actor or it may be considered as multi-actor. Taking into account the primary role of the national elites in building of the European space and in institutional consolidation of the transnational spatial connections, it is impossible not to consider growing importance of the subnational, especially regional, elites not only at the national, but also at the European level in three ultimate decades. Direct and mediated interaction of the subnational regions with the European institutions, creation and strengthening of new ties of spatial organization, vertical, horizontal and of another configuration, facilitate finding of new qualitative features by the European space. However it’s difficult to tell about some special regional level of governance in the European Union. Depending on concrete circumstances the subnational elites can became a component part of the national elites and thereby acquire a quality of the EU political space strategic actor or may enter in open confrontation with them, advancing separatist claims in certain cases, which implies risks of European political space fragmentation.

транснациональное пространство ЕС, субъекты политического пространства, субнациональные элиты ЕС, субнациональные власти ЕС, автономистские партии, сепаратизм, федерализм, децентрализация, transnational space of the EU, actors of the political space, EU subnational elites, EU subnational authorities, autonomist parties, separatism, federalism, decentralization

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