by Eugenio Vaccari | Sep 8, 2025 | Bankruptcy, Belgium, Financial distress, Local authorities, Local government, Local public entities
On June 9, 2024, Belgium held regional elections that left the Brussels Region in a state of profound political paralysis. More than a year later, the Region remains without a functioning government, trapped in a feedback loop of political deadlock and fiscal...
by Eugenio Vaccari | Jan 3, 2025 | India, Local authorities, Local government, Local public entities
India’s infrastructure capacity has struggled to keep pace with its rapid urbanisation. Municipalities, tasked with building and maintaining urban infrastructure, face several challenges, including dwindling revenues, high administrative costs, a deteriorating credit...
by Eugenio Vaccari | Dec 21, 2024 | Local authorities, Local government, Municipal financial distress, Municipal merger, UK
Dr. Eugenio Vaccari (Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London) explores the key proposals and implications of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024. Highlighting the financial pressures faced by local authorities and the lack...
by Emanuele Padovani | Nov 11, 2024 | Bankruptcy, Covid-19, Financial distress, Local government, Local public entities
Local governments (LGs) worldwide faced profound financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in their fiscal structures and governance. As primary providers of essential services, LGs experienced significant fiscal strain due to...
by rpafdaccess | Sep 27, 2024 | Financial distress, Local government, Municipal merger
Author: Mkhululi NCUBE, Jabulile MONNAKGOTLA The majority of South African municipalities facing the challenges of unemployment, poverty and weak infrastructure are in rural areas. To fulfil their mandate, they depend significantly on financial transfers. This is...
by rpafdaccess | Sep 27, 2024 | Financial distress, Local government, Local statecraft
Author: Andy PIKE The UK government reduced expenditure and introduced local financial self-sufficiency in pursuing austerity after the 2008 crash, forcing local governments in England to find savings and new income sources to close funding gaps. As new financial...
