Regions and the European Courts: Giving Shape to the Regional Dimension of Member States

In many Member States important competences are allocated to regional entities. This article examines how the European Courts contribute to giving shape to this regional dimension in the framework of Union law On the one hand, the possibilities for regions to bring an action before the European Courts are analysed. It is argued that the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty have increased the possibilities for successful action on their part. On the other hand, it is shown how in recent cases the European Courts are increasingly sensitive to the particular status of regions within the constitutional order of the Member States.