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 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 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 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.

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate and vote on a resolution that calls for adequate housing to be a fundamental right as well as for measures to prevent homelessness. Extracts from the debate (20/01) with statements by Kim VAN SPARRENTAK (Greens/EFA, NL), Rapporteur, Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE), Leïla CHAIBI (The Left, FR), Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), final vote (21/1) and illustration footage.

Decent and affordable housing for all: extracts from the debate (20/01) final vote (21/1) and illustration footage

COVID-19, like previous epidemics infect and affect men, women and other genders differently. Whilst indications suggest that more men than women are dying of COVID-19, the impact of the (short and longer term) socio-economic effects of COVID-19 fall disproportionately on women. This infoclip shows different professions carried out by women who have suffered directly or indirectly from the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic: care workers, nurses, laboratory assistant, department store cashier, market gardeners, collective catering staff, staff in charge of cleaning and disinfection, teachers and a mother doing home schooling.

Infoclip: Women and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis

During the crisis, the EU can provide financial assistance under the Sure programme in the form of loans granted on favourable terms to EU countries that request support. Assistance helps finance national short-time work schemes, unemployment benefits and similar job protection measures. This infoclip shows consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on jobs and employment.

Infoclip: Employment – Jobs impacted by the COVID-19 crisis

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027.

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Opening statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: opening statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

This infoclip illustrates the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Views of shops, restaurants and cafés definitively closed and empty streets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Prague (Czechia), Berlin (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Dublin (Ireland), Strasbourg (France) and Antwerp (Belgium) (footage shot between 11/2020 to 01/2021).

Infoclip: Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

Universities have a long history in Europe, and as institutions they have evolved with the societies in which they are embedded. Today, the scope of tertiary education covers a whole range of specialisations, from the strictly academic to the vocational. Other institutions such as colleges and universities of applied science complement the educational benefits provided by universities. With the rapid pace of change in contemporary societies, the question arises as to whether tertiary education institutions have maintained their relevance to help societies respond to their needs. Higher education institutions provide both teaching and research functions with a clear impact on economies and the future of generations of young people. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - The future of tertiary education in Europe

This infoclip illustrates teleworking, use of mobile devices like smartphones and laptops and online conferencing. According to Eurofound, the 'right to disconnect' refers to a worker's right to be able to disconnect from work and refrain from engaging in work-related electronic communication, such as emails and other messages, during non-work hoursand holidays.

Infoclip: The right to disconnect

This infoclip illustrates the range of rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Prague, Czech Republic (social distancing, wearing the mask compulsory in different situation, signage, non-essential shops, restaurants and bars temporarily closed...) and the impact on the economy and different sectors such as tourism, culture or catering. New restrictions are in place from Oct. 22.

Infoclip: Illustration of the lockdown situation in Prague, Czech Republic

This infoclip illustrates the range of rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Dublin (social distancing, wearing the mask compulsory in different situation, signage, museums, theaters, churches, public transport services reduced, non-essential shops, restaurants and bars temporarily closed...) and the impact on the economy and different sectors such as tourism, culture or catering. New restrictions are in place from Oct. 21.

Infoclip: Illustration of the lockdown situation in Dublin, Ireland

This infoclip illustrates the range of rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Berlin (social distancing, wearing the mask compulsory in different situation, signage, museums, theaters, restaurants and bars temporarily closed...) and the impact on the economy and different sectors such as tourism, cultural or catering. Several new restrictions are in place from Nov. 2 through Nov. 30.

Infoclip: Lockdown situation in Berlin, Germany

This infoclip illustrates the range of rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Barcelona (access restricted to Catalonia, social distancing, wearing the mask compulsory in different situation, signage, theaters, dance clubs, sport centre, restaurants and bars temporarily closed...) and the impact on the economy and different sectors such as tourism, cultural or catering. Several new restrictions are in place from Oct. 25.

Infoclip: lockdown situation in Barcelona, Spain

This infoclip illustrates the range of rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Rome (social distancing, wearing the mask compulsory, signage, restaurants must close by 6 pm...) and the impact on economy such as tourism.

Infoclip: lockdown situation in Rome, Italy

EU's 'strategic autonomy' is the ability to act autonomously as well as to choose when, in which area, and if, to act with like-minded partners. The capacity to act autonomously implies both the ability to decide and to implement decisions in an autonomous manner. 'Strategic autonomy' is not about self-sufficiency but about means and tools to reduce external dependencies in areas deemed strategic and where dependencies could compromise autonomy, whilst continuing to cooperate with partners in a multilateral setting. Its effectiveness derives from the ability to achieve the expected outcome. The prerequisites for achieving an effective 'strategic autonomy' are political will, common strategic vision and the capacity to act. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - What is Strategic Autonomy?

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament vote on a report assessing the emergency measures adopted by EU countries to fight against the pandemic and their impact on democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights, in Brussels.

Impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law: statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (19-23 October 2020), MEPs debate EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19. Opening statement by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Plenary session: EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19. Opening statement by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

David SASSOLI, EP President, speaks to the press on the latest situation on COVID-19 and European Parliament's response, in the European Parliament in Brussels. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

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