Representation of the Member States in EU Agencies

Representation in the EU (system) is a topic vibrantly discussed in academia but also in public debates and the media. This paper sheds light on a rather underexplored aspect of representation in the EU system. Namely the representation of the member states in European Union Agencies (EUA). Although EUAs’ management boards (MBs) are dominated by national representatives, ought to represent national interests, there is a vigorous debate taking place if EUAs are actually under control of the member states or at least held accountable by these member state representatives. Based on document analysis and original survey data this paper illustrates in how far MB members themselves actually feel as national representatives (or perhaps rather as independent experts) and to what extent they receive direct instructions from their national principals and are accountable to them regarding their work on the MBs.