Is European Policy European? Perspectives from Regional Civil Servants

Abstract

This chapter presents the findings of semi-structured interviews with regional government civil servants involved in European politics. This chapter complements the previous chapter on the political elites’ intent to build a European identity through their European policies. Its focus on civil servants offers additional insights on whether civil servants feel more European than the political elites and in turn cultivate a European identity through their implemented work. It will also be discussed to which extent civil servants can influence not only the region’s European programmes but also the region’s sentiment toward Europe and EU membership. The civil servants also assess the role of political elites in reinforcing a European identity through the European policy they design. Further interview findings include a discussion on which regional characteristics and features have an impact on the scope and objectives of the respective regions’ European policies.