The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on our lives, our economies, our societies but also on electoral processes around the world, with many elections being postponed in order to protect citizens’ health. But this involves a delicate balancing act between ensuring the democratic right to vote and a government’s responsibility to protect public health. So, what can we learn from experience?

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises

Demography matters… it matters for the economy, for the labour market, for healthcare and pensions, even for election results! But future demographic trends in the EU are not encouraging… No, they’re not! A number of demographic challenges, such as a declining birth rate, an ageing population, and depopulation of some of its regions, threaten the future demographic stability of the continent. So, what are the EU and its member states doing about it?

EPRS policy podcast - Demography on the European agenda: Strategies for tackling demographic decline

The coronavirus crisis has made life even more difficult for the most deprived people in our society… To protect them, as well the workers and volunteers delivering aid to them, and ensure no one falls through the net, the EU has had to take some exceptional measures…

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived

The coronavirus pandemic forced most of the world’s population into lockdown… But thanks to digital technologies, we were mostly able to keep on working, studying, shopping and chatting with our loved ones without leaving our homes! But the crisis has also highlighted some painful truths about our digital world…

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life (2020)

The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life

The EU first unified the summer-time arrangements in 1980, in order to ensure a harmonised approach to time switching within the single market, as until then, national summer-time practices and schedules were diverging. The current summer-time arrangements directive requires Member States to switch to summer-time on the last Sunday of March and back to standard time (informally known as winter-time) on the last Sunday of October. MEPs voted to end the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour in spring and autumn from 2021 on 26/03/2019

The system of bi-annual clock changes has been increasingly questioned, by citizens, by the European Parliament, and by a growing number of Member States. The Commission has, therefore, analysed available evidence, which points to the importance of having harmonised rules in this area to ensure a proper functioning of the internal market. This is also supported by the European Parliament as well as other actors. In February 2020, the TRAN Committee designated Johan Danielsson (S&D, Sweden) as rapporteur.

Seasonal time change

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU. Regions with a rapidly shrinking population are affected by a severe gap in the provision of social services (healthcare, cultural), physical (transport) and ICT connectivity, education and labour opportunities.

Depopulated regions are often low-income rural or post-industrial areas, with fewer job opportunities. The exodus of younger, skilled workers has further affected ageing, generation renewal and agricultural development. The economic crisis of 2008 led to young educated professionals from Southern and Eastern Europe moving to North-Western Europe. The Covid-19 crisis is likely to encourage this trend. Reduced economic activity and unemployment are expected to generate a new wave of migration by young people both within and between EU countries.

The European Parliament wants the demographic challenge to be a priority for the EU, alongside climate issues and the digital transition. A coordinated approach - integrating the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation across different EU policies - would also contribute to reversing negative demographic trends.

Demography in the EU

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- FEAD: specific measures to address the COVID-19 crisis

EP plenary session- FEAD: specific measures to address the COVID-19 crisis

EP plenary session- Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF

A tourist centre is closed in Lisbon downtown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A person uses the free Czech Covid-10 tracker eRouška app on his mobile phone in Prague. With the help of Bluetooth the application detects in a totally anonymous way the other users of the application with whom you have been in close contact and can warn you if you have met an infected person and should consider a quarantine volunteer or consult a health care professional if symptoms occur.

The shadow of a medical worker wearing a protective equipment testing a social worker for Covid-19 is projected on the wall of a nursing house in Prague.

Lockdown situation in Brussels imposed by Belgian authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus - empty streets

A man is using the Covid Tracker App in Kilmainham Hospital (not a medical hospital) in Dublin, Ireland on November 12, 2020 during a level 5 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sterilising materials are seen in a Dublin bus during a level 5 second lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricts people’s movements to a 5 km radius.

A woman walks in front of closed shops in the centre of Barcelona during the second lockdown period imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Placards reading «Maximum capacity 30% of local capacity», on the left and « keep distance 1,5 meters on the right are displayed on the window of a shoe shop in the centre of Barcelona.

Empty Brandeburg Gate in Berlin, during the second lockdown period imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Distancing posters pictured on the empty streets of Berlin during the second lockdown period imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Empty streets of Rome during the second lockdown period imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. "Women on the frontlines, lessons learnt from the crisis management".

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Panel "Women on the frontlines, lessons learnt from the crisis management"

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. Debate with the participation of the Members of National Parliaments

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Debate with the participation of the Members of National Parliaments

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day 2021 during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. Extracts and/or statements.

International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: extracts and/or statements - FEMM Committee

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. Closing words by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Evelyn REGNER (S&D,AT), FEMM Chair

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Closing words by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. Keynote speeche by Ekaterini SAKELAROPOULOU, President of Greece. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Keynote speech by Ekaterini SAKELAROPOULOU, President of Greece

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 4: Women at the frontline protecting society: opening speeches by Alda DALLA VALLE, Head nurse of Epicura Hornu’s emergency service and FNIB’s (Fédération Nationale des Infirmières en Belgique), President; Maria del Mar AMOEDO, member of 'Somos Tribu VK', a neighbourhood platform awarded with the European Citizen's Prize 2020 in Spain; Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, Ireland), Rapporteur on the gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period (FEMM Committee).

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 4: Women at the frontline protecting society: opening speeches

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". The event is chaired by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Chair of FEMM. Questions and answers session

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 1: European Parliament’s priorities on Gender Balance: Q&A session

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 4: Women at the frontline protecting society: questions and answers session.

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 4: Women at the frontline protecting society: Q&A session

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Opening speech by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 1: European Parliament’s priorities on Gender Balance: opening speech by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 3 :introduction by Avivah WITTENBERG-COX, CEO of 20-first (Study). Questions and answers session

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 3: introduction by Avivah WITTENBERG-COX, CEO of 20-first (Study) - Q&A session

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 3 :introduction by Avivah WITTENBERG-COX, CEO of 20-first (Study).

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 3: introduction by Avivah WITTENBERG-COX, CEO of 20-first (Study)

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 2: Women Scientist s leading the research on COVID-19: opening speeches by Katalin KARIKÓ, Researcher and Senior Vice-President of BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals; Maria Rosaria CAPOBIANCHI, researcher and Head of the Laboratory of Virology of Lazzaro Spallanzan; Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), Rapporteur on Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers (FEMM Committee). Questions and answers session

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 2: Women Scientist s leading the research on COVID-19: Q&A session

The European Parliament organizes an online press seminar celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 entitled "We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19". Topic 2: Women Scientist s leading the research on COVID-19: opening speeches by Katalin KARIKÓ, Researcher and Senior Vice-President of BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals; Maria Rosaria CAPOBIANCHI, researcher and Head of the Laboratory of Virology of Lazzaro Spallanzan; Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), Rapporteur on Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers (FEMM Committee).

Online press seminar on the International Women’s Day - Women’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Topic 2: Women Scientist s leading the research on COVID-19: opening speeches

The Committee of Legal Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) discuss the joint draft own-initiative report on "The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children". Statement by Luisa REGIMENTI (ID, IT), Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), co-rapporteur, Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), shadow-rapporteur and Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew, FR).

The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children: extracts and statement by Luisa REGIMENTI (ID, IT) Co-rapporteur

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (8-11 February 2021), MEPs debate the impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport. MEPs call on the Commission and member states to increase their efforts to prevent the pandemic from having lasting negative effects on young people and the sports sector. Extracts from the statement during the debate by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), rapporteur (08/02), statement by former football player and MEP, Tomasz FRANKOWSKI (EPP, PL), vote and illustration part.

The impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport: extracts from the debate (08/02), statement by Tomasz FRANKOWSKI (EPP, PL) and extracts from the vote

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 February 2021), MEPs debate the Oral question on the impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport. Closing statement by Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

The impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport - Oral question: Closing statement by Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 February 2021), MEPs debate the Oral question on the impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport. Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Author and by Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

The impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport - Oral question: Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Author and by Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 February 2021), MEPs debate the Oral question on the impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport. MEPs debate.

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