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This article aims to address the effects of political decentralization on the regional political elite. We observe whether a bifurcation is taking place regarding the national elite, through a predominance of local and regional careers. We use a descriptive approach of the political careers of the regional presidents and prime ministers in Spain, France and United Kingdom, comparing amongst countries and periods of time. The data suggest the existence of different patterns, in which local and national paths tend to dissociate, creating distinctive cursus honorum. Spain is the best case to observe the arise of political careers linked to the new regional institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]