Local governments & municipal mergers
In recent years, many countries and regions worldwide (including Flanders) have witnessed a notable shift towards voluntary municipal mergers, a topic once considered taboo. The ongoing debate surrounding these mergers, and local governments more broadly, encompasses a wide range of critical issues: administrative capacity and strength, democratic quality, the relationship between citizens and government, among others. Furthermore, the consolidation into fewer, stronger municipalities could significantly influence their interactions with higher levels of government (e.g., the Flemish government). Our research aims to provide valuable scientific insights to enhance the discourse on municipal mergers and the evolution of local governments.