Underordning och självstyrelse

De svenska kommunernas konstitutionella roll i det europeiska flernivåsystemet

Abstract

The article explores the constitutional role of Swedish local government (municipalities) in the context of EU law. The tension between subordination as a part of the monolithic member state of Sweden and the constitutionally protected self-government forms the analytical framework. The study highlights the legal structures and links them to theories on multi-level governance. It looks into the role of local government in the EU legislative process, in implementation of EU law and as a legally based limiting force to the policy of the central Swedish state. The article concludes that a monolithic view of the state, including local government, does not entirely capture the constitutional role of municipalities in the EU context. Swedish municipalities should therefore be seen as important participants in political and legal arenas on the European level.