Summary and Conclusions

In responding to recent multiple challenges (climate and energy crisis, influx of migrants and asylum seekers, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine etc.) Germany’s multi-level political system has, on the one hand, experienced a “centralizing” shift through increased political, legislative and financial interventions and measures of the federal government (as well as of the EU). On the other hand, the political, administrative and and operational role and standing of the local authorities as “decentral” actor level has grown with the accompanying expansion of their responsibilities and tasks. While the local government level has exhibited an overall impressive track record in past and current performance and achievements, enduring shortcomings as well as looming imponderabilities (potential deepening of the migration and asylum crisis, Russia’s still ongoing invasion of Ukraine etc) put the political and financial viability of local government at risk.