European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived
Around 24 million people in the EU, or 5.6 % of the population, are ‘severely materially deprived’. Fighting poverty and social exclusion is therefore a key priority, and to this end the EU supplements its Member States’ aid to those most in need through the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), which has a budget of €3.8 billion. Continue reading
EU rules on vouchers offered to passengers and travellers
EU rules on vouchers offered to passengers and travellers Continue reading
Education in isolation in the pandemic, following the path of Isaac Newton
While schools have remained closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, students’ education cannot be suspended indefinitely without severe consequences. Continue reading
Demography on the European agenda: Strategies for tackling demographic decline
The EU faces a number of demographic challenges such as ageing, a declining birth rate and depopulation in some of its regions. Continue reading
The coronavirus crisis: Options for economic recovery [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the coronavirus crisis keeps the world in its grip, analysts ponder what future measures could stimulate recovery from the deep recession expected in its aftermath, with a focus, in particular, on the European Commission’s plans and the growth-boosting fund recently proposed by France and Germany. Continue reading
Food trade and food security in the coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has not only created a global public health crisis, but it has had a significant effect on the global economy and international trade. Continue reading
EU export authorisation scheme for personal protection equipment
In the midst of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the European Commission issued an implementing regulation requiring authorisations for exports of personal protection equipment (PPE), effective as of 15 March 2020 for a six-week period. Continue reading
Coronavirus: The world in limbo [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Most countries recovering from the first – and hopefully last – wave of the coronavirus pandemic are now in limbo. Continue reading
How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement
The coronavirus pandemic is bringing an unforeseen acceleration in the digital transformation of societies around the world. Continue reading
EU budgetary and financial response to the coronavirus crisis
Within the limits of its powers, the EU has acted quickly to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries on self-employed workers on e-commerce websites during the coronavirus pandemic
The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages on the situation of micro-enterprises and the self-employed, in particular on e-commerce websites, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, May 2020
The May 2020 plenary session was the third conducted with a majority of Members participating remotely, although more were present in Brussels than at the April session, and using the alternative voting procedure put in place in March by Parliament’s Bureau. Continue reading
Which ‘new normal’ after coronavirus? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Many countries are now beginning to relax their strict confinement measures as the infection, hospitalisation and death rates from the coronavirus all fall. However, the impact of such moves is being monitored very closely, in order to try to forestall any second wave of infection. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – May 2020
Parliament meets again in plenary from Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 May 2020, using the temporary alternative electronic voting procedure introduced since the coronavirus outbreak, with the agenda including up to three voting sessions. Continue reading
Mobility, transport and coronavirus
One of the first, and most visible impacts of the Covid-19 crisis was on transport, travel and mobility. In early March 2020, European Union (EU) Member States had already reintroduced border controls at internal Schengen borders on the grounds of an immediate threat to public policy and on 17 March 2020, the Heads of State or Government agreed to reinforce the external borders by applying a coordinated temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU. Continue reading
The impact of coronavirus on media freedom
Media freedom has increasingly come under the spotlight in recent years. In its 2019 report on media freedom, Freedom House argued that media freedom around the world was coming under growing threat both in democratic and non-democratic countries, whilst in its 2020 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) argue that the next decade will be pivotal in ensuring the preservation of media freedom. Continue reading
Coronavirus: From lock-down to de-confinement, and beyond [What Think Tanks are thinking]
A number of European countries have now started, or will soon start, relaxing the lock-downs put in place to slow the spread of the lethal coronavirus. Continue reading
Protecting the EU agri-food supply chain in the face of COVID-19 [Policy Podcast]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU countries’ governments have taken a host of measures, including reintroducing border controls and setting limits to free movement of people within their territory, in an attempt to stem the spread of the disease. Continue reading
EU support for artists and the cultural and creative sector during the coronavirus crisis
The EU’s cultural and creative sectors (CCS) are a European Union economic and societal asset, providing an important contribution to GDP, and shaping identity and diversity. Continue reading
Listening to the experts: ESMH interviews with scientists on coronavirus
Accurate, reliable and timely information about scientific or health topics has always been important, but in a pandemic, it becomes critical. The demand for credible and science-based data today is enormous, as people seek analysis and expert opinion in response to the crisis. Continue reading
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