Koalicje regionalne w perspektywie rządzenia wielopoziomowego
Regional Coalitions from the Perspective of Multi-Level Governance

Summary/Abstract: This article describes the theoretical and empirical output of the perspective of multi-level governance (MLG), which is related to patterns by which regional coalitions are formed in Western Europe. The dynamic development of MLG in recent years and the interest of researchers in regional politics, including factors influencing decisions about the political composition of regional coalitions, show how the structures of modern states have been transformed – increased competences and powers of regional executives, i.e. regional governments. The fact that politics is described as a process within the multi-level system should also be considered a success of this perspective. In the case of coalition formation this reflects the trend to from coalitions in regions that are congruent with those at national level. If this is not possible, it is assumed that politicians will seek to avoid the formation of cross-cutting coalitions (formed by the ruling parties and the opposition at the central level). MLG reformulates assumptions about the strategies that political parties pursue in order to implement their coalition politics – the assumption that treats them as a unitary actor is rejected. The empirical part of the article presents studies on determinants affecting the formation of regional coalitions, formulated both by classical theories and MLG. International comparative studies and studies on Polish regions, especially those conducted after 2007, to a large extent explained the assumptions about the formation of congruent coalitions. However, it should be noted that in some countries there is a long-term tendency to move away from congruent coalitions towards cross-cutting coalitions. Cross-cutting coalitions were also more frequent in regions with a high level of competence compared to ‘weak’ regions. Determinants specified in classical theories continue to affect coalition patterns, yet their influence is constrained by political parties’ strategies resulting from their functioning in the multi-level system.

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