
Analysis
How the EU's virus-alert agency failed
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, an EU agency, was meant to highlight threats from infectious diseases, but painted a rosy picture of Covid-19.
Sunday
12th Apr 2020

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, an EU agency, was meant to highlight threats from infectious diseases, but painted a rosy picture of Covid-19.

The rise in support for mainstream parties has been paired with stagnation or decline for far-right populist parties and figures - the AfD has dropped to 10 percent in Germany and Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini are treading water.

Welcome to the Hobbesian jungle of international anarchy.
It is the biggest-ever EU financial envelope, but more will be needed to kickstart Europe's economy.
It is still very likely that Europe will face a new deadly spread of the virus next autumn or winter. Until a reliable vaccine and cure are in place, we all have to live in this new reality.
The Flemish government has blocked the signature of a letter from 12 member states reaffirming Europe's commitment to the Green Deal - despite the coronavirus.

Contested version of events cloud the shock resignation of Mauro Ferrari as president of the European Research Council. Ferrari dramatically tendered his resignation on 7 April. But his colleagues overseeing the council wanted him gone already by late March.

Poland must urgently halt the work of a new judicial disciplinary board to prevent "irreparable harm" to rule of law in Europe, an EU court has said.

The European Commission dropped plans to unveil a "roadmap" to end restrictive measures imposed by member states. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization warned countries not to lift restrictions prematurely.

In repointing Europe's approach to industrial policy, some policymakers have prized China as an example to follow. Luckily, the European Commission is moving towards a European approach.
From the Netherlands to Italy, refugees and asylum seekers are stepping forward to help in the fight against the pandemic. Some are trained doctors, others are cleaners, while others help out the homeless on Europe's streets.
Belgium has the most overcrowded prisons in the EU, according to a report by the Strasbourg-based human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe. Prisons in Austria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, and Romania are also severely overcrowded.
EU finance ministers will continue discussions on plans to offset the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic - after failing to bridge deep divides over how to manage debt.
The EU's Agency for Fundamental Rights has warned that Roma inequality and discrimination is growing due to the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, the EU Commission will present a strategy for Roma equality to tackle discrimination.
We are experiencing the first global pandemic unfolding in the 24/7 news cycle and taking its toll, in real time, on our daily lives, our financial security and the global economy.
EU leaders have begun exploring exit strategies to national lockdowns - as figures in worst-hit states indicate slowing in rate of infections.
The German chancellor warned that the only answer can be more Europe. However, disagreements countinue over how to rebuild the bloc's economy after the pandemic. Commissioner Gentiloni warned about the state's increased role.
Threat of sanctions coupled with personal EU diplomacy can help in the global "battle for truth", award-wining Phillipine journalist Maria Ressa, who faces prison, has said.
When journalists were barred from the EU commission press room in March because of coronavirus, the relatively-new chief spokesperson, Eric Mamer, amiable Frenchman, had to improvise.

Finance ministers will hold all-important online meeting to find ways to mitigate the econmic fallout from the pandemic and heal wounds between northern and southern member states.

After visiting European nationals first brought the virus to Africa, the European Union is now worried it could spread throughout the continent and bounce back to Europe.
It would take relatively few seriously ill patients on Greenland, the world's largest island, to outrun the capacity of the nation's health services.
The enormous differences between coronavirus cases reported worldwide raise questions on how countries are tracking their outbreaks - or even deliberately underreporting them.

EU should discuss all ideas free from prejudice, commission vice-president said, after capitals took positions similar to old financial crisis ahead of talks on Tuesday.

The new EU naval mission to prevent arms-smuggling to Libya has clearly ignored Libya's reality and all expert advice.
"It is necessary for protecting people living in these settlements and also all the others who do not live there," prime minister Igor Matovic said.
Some lobbyists are "burning the phones" to EU officials as industry reacts to the pandemic - creating concern on public scrutiny.

Some 20 people at a refugee camp near Athens have tested positive for Covid-19. Although a worrying development, the EU commission says Greece will be able to handle it.

Member parties from the largest European political family have called for the expulsion of their Hungarian partner - again. This time, two prime ministers joined, but so far the heavyweights have again stayed away.
The EU commission has announced a "new solidarity instrument", mobilising €100bn in support to workers with jobs affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Other funds will be redirected to respond to the negative economic impact.
The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary broke the EU law over refusing to relocate asylum seekers after a decision in 2015 by member states.

An already fragile business model for journalism might be dealt a lethal blow in the corona crisis. And the freedom of the press itself is coming under extreme pressure, as governments take swift and debilitating measures fighting the pandemic.

EU countries reported shortages of ventilators, personal protective equipment and testing kits, but also being victims of fraud. Meanwhile, the European Commission has scaled up its efforts to avoid shortages of ani-virus gear and faulty medical supplies in the EU.