The following aspects are particularly notable:
- the last few years have seen a boost in the self-confidence of regional representations
- regional representations get increasingly more media coverage
- the EU pays more and more attention to regional representations
- regional representations in Brussels act in similar ways to interest groups - they serve as platforms and communication channels for associations, industry, research centres etc. and between Brussels and the regions in Germany
- they have important networking functions
- the different German regional representations do not always work together, but represent different interests.
The article concludes that the many voices in Brussels representing different German national and regional interests can also be regarded as a disadvantage since the EU institutions are receiving different messages. In fact, in terms of staff, German regions are now more strongly represented in Brussels than the federal state itself. While the regional representations employ 250 staff members, only 160 people work for the German permanent representation to the EU. The complexity of the situation could increase if the German parliament receives its own representation in Brussels.
