Latest documents

Summary : Stress-testing is a promising foresight policy tool that can support the design of EU policies able to withstand the shocks and challenges of both the present day and the years to come. This study explores how the European Parliament could use stress-tests to identify weak points in EU legislation and avenues for further EU action. The study draws on the findings of a stress-test of EU rail transport policy and recommendations from an expert practitioner of foresight and regulatory policy. It finds that stress-tests across different policy areas could boost the European Parliament's role as co-legislator in the European Union, especially in the agenda-setting and law-making phases of the legislative cycle.

Authors : ALEKSANDRA HEFLICH, MEENAKSHI FERNANDES

Summary : This study provides a mapping of funds contributed by different actors for the R&D and the expansion of the production capacity of COVID-19 vaccines, with a focus on those authorised in the EU. Nine vaccines are examined. It is found that governments, mainly the US (with some not-for-profit entities) decisively supported corporate investments, either for R&D, manufacturing, or both, by nearly EUR 9 billion, i.e. on average EUR one billion of grants per vaccine, with, however, vast variance across companies. Moreover, almost EUR 21 billion was allocated to companies through Advance Purchase Agreements. While the EU and MS support through Advance Purchase Agreements was key to de-risk the production of vaccines, the role of EU and MS support in directly supporting R&D was marginal compared with the US federal government. The study assesses the necessity for continuing public support to R&D on vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 future variants of concern and possibly other coronaviruses. After highlighting current market failures, new incentive mechanisms in the public interest for vaccine R&D are suggested to grant equity and accessibility, as well as rewards in line with risks.

Authors : Massimo FLORIO, Simona GAMBA, and Chiara PANCOTTI

Summary : These proceedings summarise the presentations and discussions during the workshop on ‘COVID-19: EU Preparedness and Response’, held on 8 March 2023. The five presentations touched, inter alia, upon the impact of COVID-19 at EU level, and how the EU has been prepared, how it responded to that crisis, and the lessons learned following the pandemic. These workshop proceedings were provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies for the Special Committee on COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (COVI).

Authors : Julia LIETZMANN and Loreleï LEMETAYER

Summary : The original full study considers the consequences of measures aimed at countering the effects of COVID-19, in particular the Temporary Framework for State aid, EU Digital COVID Certificates and other measures implemented by EU Member States. The study examines the consequences of the measures on industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focuses on the cultural and creative industries. Consequences for workers and working practices are also considered, and lessons learnt identified.

Authors : Jan SMIT, Elias NACER, Andrew SIKORSKI, Caroline GODARD and Wiktor MAGDZIARZ

Summary : This study considers the consequences of measures aimed at countering the effects of COVID-19, in particular the Temporary Framework for State aid, EU Digital COVID Certificates and other measures implemented by EU Member States. The study examines the consequences of the measures on industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and focuses on the cultural and creative industries. Consequences for workers and working practices were also considered, and lessons learnt identified. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the special committee on COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (COVI).

Authors : Jan SMIT, Elias NACER, Andrew SIKORSKI, Caroline GODARD and Wiktor MAGDZIARZ

Summary : These proceedings summarise the presentations and discussions of the workshop on ‘long COVID’ organised for the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic on 9 March 2023. The six presentations touched, inter alia, upon the current state of knowledge on the disease’s clinical profile, potential causes and underlying mechanisms, impacts on patients and society, and lessons to be learned from post-acute infection syndromes and chronic diseases. The speakers and Members could discuss the urgent actions and financial support needed from the EU to close gaps in scientific knowledge, to raise awareness on long COVID, and to develop treatments which could improve patients’ condition.

Authors : Maxime MOULAC, Milieu Consulting SRL.

Summary : This study was drawn up to support the work of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the COVID 19 pandemic. It examines the European Union's public health response to the COVID 19 pandemic across the following five pillars: (1) the EU vaccines strategy and national vaccination strategies; (2) independent scientific evidence on vaccine effectiveness; (3) the EU public health response to COVID 19, addressing the EU framework for crisis response; (4) the EU's prevention and preparedness efforts for future health threats; and (5) considerations regarding EU competences in public health. By assessing the lessons of the COVID 19 pandemic, the current state of play, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in EU public health governance, a series of recommendations are proposed to strengthen the EU's resilience and preparedness for future cross-border health threats.

Authors : Irmgard ANGLMAYER, Susanna TENHUNEN

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This study analyses how governments, public health experts and other professionals communicated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of these communication strategies. It investigates COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation practices, and how these practices were addressed in the European Union by the Member States and the European Commission. It draws up recommendations to improve responses in the future, including by analysing the role of the Code of Practice on disinformation ad the expected impact of the Digital Services Act.

Authors : Cécile JACOB, VVA Brussels Pierre HAUSEMER, VVA Brussels Adam ZAGONI-BOGSCH, VVA Brussels Dr. Audra DIERS-LAWSON, Kristiania University College

Summary : This study examines the intersections between COVID-19, mental health and socioeconomic stressors in the lives of adolescents and young people, the impact of COVID-19 measures, including lockdowns, on children and vulnerable people, and efforts to tackle violence against women and domestic violence in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (COVI).

Authors : Hana ŠPÁNIKOVÁ, Maxime MOULAC, Panagiota PAVLOU, Laura VONA, and Linus SIÖLAND; Milieu Consulting SRL

Summary : This study analyses how governments, public health experts and other professionals communicated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of these communication strategies. It investigates COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation practices, and how these practices were addressed in the European Union by the Member States and the European Commission. It draws up recommendations to improve responses in the future, including by analysing the role of the Code of Practice on disinformation ad the expected impact of the Digital Services Act.

Authors : Cécile JACOB, VVA Brussels Pierre HAUSEMER, VVA Brussels Adam ZAGONI-BOGSCH, VVA Brussels Dr. Audra DIERS-LAWSON, Kristiania University College

Summary : Conducted at the request of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the COVID 19 pandemic, this literature review examines the patterns in, consequences of and correlation between national approaches to parliamentary oversight of governments' responses to the COVID 19 pandemic in the EU27 and four other countries (Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States). The review begins by assessing parliaments' involvement during the early stages of the health crisis, when many countries were operating under emergency regimes or statutory frameworks that provided for rapid action. It then maps the parliaments' law-making and oversight role during the pandemic, demonstrating that they were not necessarily side-lined. The study goes on to assess successes and failures and, on that basis, factors in the resilience of parliamentary oversight. Mapping the widespread use of sunset and review clauses in emergency legislation, the study reflects on parliaments' cooperation with supreme audit institutions and independent fiscal institutions, which enhanced their budgetary oversight role during the pandemic. The literature review also identifies best practice regarding oversight during the COVID 19 pandemic and reforms that parliaments could pursue to strengthen their preparedness for future crises.

Authors : Irmgard ANGLMAYER, Susanna TENHUNEN

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The European Commission plans to launch its revised EU pharmaceutical package in the first quarter of 2023. Ahead of its release, two recent STOA studies offer insight to inform upcoming Parliamentary discussions. Fragmentation of EU health research and development, lack of transparency and a translation gap between public investment and clinical output are among the weaknesses identified. Possible solutions include the creation of large-scale European biomedical infrastructure, and a series of targeted strategies to improve EU health research coordination and reprioritise areas of unmet therapeutic need.

Authors : LUISA ANTUNES

Summary : This research study examines the impact of COVID-19 measures on democracy and fundamental rights in the EU. It considers what best practices have been evidenced, and the lessons that can be learned from comparative experience within EU Member States as well as relevant third countries. It examines pandemic governance in the EU and its Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022. It describes how the COVID-19 pandemic was addressed by EU Member States, either in terms of declaring a state of emergency or similar regimes, or using emergency powers or emergency health legislation, or normal legislation. This study was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (COVI).

Authors : Joelle GROGAN, CEU Democracy Institute, Hungary

Summary : The EP’s budget is drawn up during the year n-1, with the preparations in its Directorates General already starting in the last quarter of the year n-2. The budgetary procedure - first inside the EP for the institution’s own budget, then for the budget of the EU as a whole in the interinstitutional part of the procedure - lasts throughout the year n-1, with an agreement usually reached during the last quarter of year n-1. For example, the preparations for the 2020 budget in the Directorates General started towards the end of 2018, with the main budgetary process taking place in 2019.

Authors : Michaela FRANKE

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : Antimicrobial-resistant infections are predicted to become the second biggest cause of death worldwide by 2050. Despite increasing investment in the development of new antimicrobials, awareness campaigns on antimicrobial misuse and abuse, and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance in animals, humans and the environment, antimicrobial resistance continues to grow and the last three decades have not seen even one novel antimicrobial class reach the market. Could the answer lie in a 'Trojan horse' strategy to disrupt a natural physiological process common to all bacteria?

Authors : LUISA ANTUNES

Summary : This briefing analyses C and P transfers in the EP’s budget during 2021. It differentiates between transfers linked directly and indirectly to the EP’s response to the COVID-19 crisis on the one hand and those that dealt with other, unrelated, needs on the other, including the EP’s building policy. A comparison between the main tendencies observed in 2020 and 2021 sheds light on the impact the COVID-19 crisis had on the EP’s budget in both years.

Authors : Michaela FRANKE

Summary : In order to provide the Members of the Budgetary Control Committee with reliable information and data on the COVID-19 response of the EU public administration, the study analyses the EU institutions’ response, their business continuity measures and their impact on the budget from 2020 onwards and staff of the respective institution. Furthermore, the study provides an overview of practices and challenges around the new working modalities EU institutions are adopting for the post-pandemic future, as well as recommendations for the way forward.

Authors : Alessandro VALENZA, Dea HRELJA, Pietro CELOTTI, Caterina CASAMASSIMA, Michele ALESSANDRINI, Roland BLOMEYER, Nicolò FRANCESCHELLI