ABSTRACT
As a multilevel system, the success of the EU crisis management depends on how well the response is articulated between the national and the supranational levels. In this chapter we look at the politics of the pandemic, assessing the interplay between national governments and EU institutions. The purpose of the chapter is to broadly assess the EU performance in crisis response and if we have ‘more’ or ‘less’ Europe as a result of this. Our findings suggest that the EU missed the opportunity to frame the initial crisis response, with a cost for effectiveness and reputation. However, after an underwhelming start, the EU managed to reassert its role as crisis manager. Member states’ unilateral action gave way to cooperation with a clear positive impact on crisis management’s success. The European Commission played a central coordination role, the European Council maintained the usual prominence in crisis situations and the ECB confirmed a proactive stance. The lessons of the first year of the pandemic triggered several proposals for reform, particularly in health policy and crisis preparedness, that, if adopted, could result in ‘more’ Europe.
