Delebarre: Subsidiarity must not become a weapon

Michel Delebarre (President of the Committee of the Regions) deemed the subsidiarity principle to be a programme of action for the future enabling a way out of the current impasse. However, it should not become a weapon but must be used as a dynamic instrument according to the principle of proportionality. As an expression of government on several levels, according to Delebarre, the regions and municipalities are also called upon, along with the Union, to contribute collectively to achieving the goals of peace and prosperity in the EU. In this context, the political players had to act as partners. In future, the Committee of the Regions would, he stressed, strive to take account of the interests of local authorities ahead of the implementation of laws, through early consultation, assessment of effects and early-warning systems, without impeding the process itself. In applying the subsidiarity principle, Delebarre considered the key notions to be partnership, democratic dialogue, cooperation and adaptability.