Parliamentary Representation in Europe's System of Multi-Layer Constitutions: A Case Study of Germany

Abstract

This article uses a case study of Germany to analyse conditions for the participation of national and sub-national parliaments in the EU system of multi-layered parliamentarism. The analysis illustrates that national and sub-national parliaments can enhance their roles in policy formulation and implementation in EU affairs by creating structures of close cooperation and networking – vertically, between parliaments of different levels (European, national, subnational), and horizontally, between the national and sub-national parliaments. Even without a direct representation of national parliamentarians in European decision making on the EU level, national and sub-national parliaments have ways of influencing and controlling the European policy process and thereby adding to the legitimacy of European governance.