Local Governments and Politics in Europe in an Era of Global Challenges

The global challenges of the 21st century—ranging from climate change and migration to economic instability and the erosion of democratic norms—have profound impacts on local governments across Europe. As Europe faces economic, social, and environmental pressures, the role of local governments becomes increasingly important. Local governance structures, closer to citizens and more adaptable than national bodies, are increasingly tasked with addressing global problems that manifest at the community level. Moreover, citizens are pressuring for more participation at all levels and are demanding to be given a voice in local government decision-making. These issues have spurred innovations in local governance and policy responses while also testing the resilience, capacity, and democratic integrity of local institutions in general. The focus of the 2025 Local Politics Section is embodied in the question: What is the role of local governments in Europe’s complex, multi-level governance system, where local, regional, national, and supranational authorities intersect? This section invites research that explores how local governments in Europe are navigating and responding to these sweeping global challenges, aiming to bridge insights from various subfields within political science. This includes contributions examining issues of local autonomy, fiscal constraints, and policy implementation in this intricate governance framework asking questions such as: How do local authorities negotiate responsibilities and resources with higher levels of governance? Or papers addressing cross-border and transnational cooperation at the local level—such as city alliances and regional networks— and how they contribute to our understanding of local governments as essential players in addressing global issues. For instance: how are European cities and municipalities implementing climate resilience strategies, managing migration flows, or addressing economic inequalities exacerbated by globalization? Research on the political challenges of resource distribution, as well as on sustainable local development and innovative responses to climate change, will contribute valuable insights into the future of local governance in a globally interconnected world. Finally, in an era where citizen trust in national institutions is often waning, this section invites studies that assess the democratic health of European local governments. How are local authorities maintaining or revitalizing democratic engagement amidst growing public dissatisfaction and political polarization? Research on local elections, citizen participation, and innovations in democratic processes, such as participatory budgeting, will be highly relevant to this discussion. Additionally, we encourage papers exploring how local governments address the particular needs of diverse and marginalized communities, which are essential to understanding local democracy’s inclusivity and resilience. By bringing together scholars from subfields such as comparative politics, political economy, public policy, urban studies, and environmental politics, this section aims to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue on the role of European local governments amid global shifts. Therefore, we particularly encourage contributions that utilize diverse methodological approaches—such as case studies, quantitative analyses, and comparative frameworks—to capture the multifaceted ways in which local politics intersect with broader global issues. --- Panels 1. The Local Level in Contemporary Politics: Multi-Level Dynamics and Spillover Effects Chair: Silvia Bolgherini 2. Party Politics at the Local Level Chair: Selena Grimaldi 3. The Urban/Rural Divide in the XXI Century Chair: Aldo Paparo 4. Collaborative Governance: Role of Local Stakeholders, Actors and Networks Towards Tailored Local Politics Chair: Jurga Bucaite-Vilke 5. Local Governance Innovation for Climate Action and Societal Change Chairs: Sara Moreno Pires, Filipe Teles 6. Feedback Between Social Media and Local Politics: a Vicious Circle of Manipulation or an Arena of Participation? Chair: Katarzyna Szmigiel Rawska