The european perspective of the local governance of public services between the enhancement of social and territorial cohesion and the devaluation of free competition market

Abstract

The research moves from the values really underpinning the European regulation of public services to outline a framework that takes into account the role of local autonomy in the governance of this sector and the impact of this regulation from a narrow administrative perspective. After clarifying the preeminence of the social and territorial coherence over free competition market, the essay focuses on the assessment of the current relevance of local powers in the governance of public services as well as on its real perimeter and consistency within the piecemeal landscape of European law in accordance with the phases of establishment and management methods of public services. In this context, the recognition of the value of the local autonomies in the governance of public services represents an essential tool to achieve the effectiveness of fundamental rights.