English translation: A government which is hands-off, distancing, devolving..
Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:
terugtredende regering
English translation:
A government which is hands-off, distancing, devolving..
Explanation: Another way of expressing this (whatever the eventual context) might be as:
A(n) authority (government, etc.), which is devolving, privatising, delegating, etc....(its) powers/decisions to...
i.e. "the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor were speaking in very positive terms about the importance of devolving more decisions to enable both local authorities and regional bodies,..."
terugtredende overheid is het, sorry. Ik kan de zin even niet vinden. Maar het is een overheid die zich in dit geval en al die andere gevallen taken afstoot, afstand neemt, privatieseert.
Daar gaat het om.
Explanation: There are no references for the literal - withdrawing or retiring.
From the few hits for privatising authority it is clear this is the authority that is pulling out and handing over to a private entity.
Decentralising authority is another far more common option but without any further context, it impossible to say whether that is over the top because we simply don't have the facts.
Anyhow when you find your sentence again, you'll soon see......
Lawyer-Linguist Portugal Local time: 09:40 Native speaker of: English
Explanation: This EU site does refer to a "withdrawing government" but, as Deborah mentioned, without context this is merely a possibility. It might not be the right expression, depending on your (unknown) subject.
Rule 2
A member may at any time withdraw from the Group by written notification in advance to the Secretary-General, the withdrawal taking effect on the date specified in the notification. Withdrawal shall be without prejudice to any financial obligations already incurred and shall not entitle the withdrawing Government to any rebate of its contribution for the year in which the withdrawal occurs.
mariette Local time: 04:40 Native speaker of: Dutch
14 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
A(n) authority (government, etc.), which is devolving..
Explanation: Another way of expressing this (whatever the eventual context) might be as:
A(n) authority (government, etc.), which is devolving, privatising, delegating, etc....(its) powers/decisions to...
i.e. "the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor were speaking in very positive terms about the importance of devolving more decisions to enable both local authorities and regional bodies,..."
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
