PECULIARITIES OF EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the complex and multifaceted governance structure of the European Union. With an emphasis on the multi-level nature of this system, the author examines how different levels of government – local, regional, national and European – interact, complementing each other and sometimes conflicting. Analysing the specifics of European governance, the author draws attention to the main principles on which the EU governance system is based: the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality and mutual loyalty. These principles serve as the basis for ensuring harmony between different levels of government and ensuring effective decisionmaking at different stages. The role of key European institutions is explored. Their competences, responsibilities and interaction in the context of a multi-level system are considered. An important place is occupied by the analysis of challenges and problems that arise in the process of their interaction, in particular, coordination, conflict of competences and the need for constant adaptation to changing circumstances. The EU is considered in the context of the regulatory state. The author reveals how the EU sets rules, monitors their implementation and regulates various aspects of life of its member states, from the economy to social standards. It is noted that multi-level governance in the European Union can be interpreted as a political system with institutional interconnections at different levels: European (supranational) – the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament – the Court of Justice of the EU, the Accounting Chamber and the European Central Bank. The conclusions of the article emphasise the uniqueness of the EU governance model, which is based on a combination of national interests of the Member States and the unifying ideals of the European Union. The article is recommended for scholars, students, experts in the field of European studies and anyone interested in current trends in governance and international relations in Europe.