Sharing is caring: i primi trent’anni del principio di sussidiarietà nell’Unione europea

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of its introduction, this article reviews the functioning of the principle of subsidiarity in EU law from the Maastricht Treaty until today. The occasion is a perfect opportunity for a brief reflection on the consequences its use has had on the EU integration process, particularly with regard to the quality of legislation and the exercise of shared competences, as well as, more generally, the distribution of competences between the Union and the Member States. Initially conceived as a brake to limit the indefinite expansion of “Community law”, the principle soon took on the role of a hinge in the system, contributing effectively to implementing cooperation between national authorities and EU institutions.