REGIONALIZATION IN DENMARK IN THE LIGHT OF POLITICAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN EUROPE (EXEMPLIFIED BY CHANGES IN THE LEGAL STATUS OF AUTONOMIES IN GREENLAND AND THE FAROE ISLANDS)

Abstract

Introduction . Of all Nordic countries, only Denmark and Finland have their own national-territorial autonomies. In other Nordic countries, there are non-territorial national autonomies of the Sami people, who are entitled to form their own representative bodies (the Sametings). The southern part of Denmark on the border with Germany (in the Northern Holstein) is home to German-speaking minority, the existence of which can be attributed to a national-cultural autonomy. However, it is not entitled to form its own parliament (contrary to the Greenlandic and Faroe people) but enjoys guaranteed representation in the Danish Parliament – the Folketing. In order to guarantee the rights of the German-speaking national minorities Denmark has become the member of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities since February 1, 1998, and the member of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of 1992 since January 1, 2001. Materials and methods . The methodological basis of the article is formed by general scientific and special methods of investigation into legal phenomena such as systematic and structural analysis, the synthesis of social and legal studies, formal logical and comparative legal methods. The results of the research : The analysis of the legal status of Greenland and the Faroe Islands leads to the conclusion that the two Danish autonomies are to a very large extent independent in their relations with the central authorities. They are entitled to enter into international treaties, decide on membership in international organisations and unions separately from the central government. Legal changes in the status of both Danish autonomies indicate the process of regionalization which has been taking place over recent years in Denmark. Discussion and conclusions . The article justifies legislative changes in the relationship between Danish and self-government authorities, reviews the merits and demerits thereof, and allows the secession of the autonomies together with the declaration of their sovereignty.