MEPs want a massive package of stimulus packages to support the economy after the COVID-19 crisis, including stimulus bonds guaranteed by the EU budget.

In a resolution adopted on Friday, Parliament welcomes the budgetary measures and the support for EU liquidity to cope with the pandemic. Beyond what has already been done, Europe needs a massive package of recovery and reconstruction measures, which should be financed by a reinforced long-term budget (MFF), by funds and financial instruments of the existing Union as well as by stimulus obligations guaranteed by the Union budget, say MEPs. These measures should not involve the pooling of existing debt and should be geared towards investments for the future. The European Green Pact and the digital transition should be at the heart of this package of measures to give the economy a boost, stress MEPs.

European solidarity fund against coronavirus

MEPs also call for a European permanent unemployment reinsurance scheme and the creation of an EU solidarity fund against coronavirus, with a minimum amount of 50 billion euros. This fund would support the financial efforts made by the health sectors in all Member States during the current crisis as well as the investments in health that will be made after the crisis to improve the resilience of health systems, while focusing on the most pressing needs.

Expanded EU powers to act on cross-border health threats

Joint European action to fight the COVID-19 pandemic is essential, says the resolution. Not only must the European Union emerge strengthened from this crisis, but its institutions should also be empowered to act in the event of cross-border health threats. This would allow them to act without delay to coordinate the response at European level and allocate resources where they are most needed, be it masks, respirators and medicines, or financial means.

MEPs also support increasing production in the EU of essential products such as medicines, pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as medical devices, equipment and materials, in order to be better prepared for future global shocks.

Keep borders open for essential goods

MEPs insist that borders must remain open within the Union for the circulation of medicines, protective equipment, medical devices, food and essential goods. The single market is the source of “our collective prosperity and well-being”, and it is an essential part of the immediate and continuing response to the COVID-19 epidemic, they stress.

Furthermore, the Parliament calls for the creation of a European health response mechanism in order to guarantee a better response to any type of health crisis in the future. Common stocks of equipment, materials and medicines could be quickly mobilized to save lives. MEPs also want additional EU funding to speed up the search for a vaccine.

Need for a coordinated approach to deconfinement

MEPs also stress the need for a coordinated approach to deconfinement in the EU, in order to avoid a resurgence of the virus. They urge Member States to jointly develop criteria for lifting the quarantine and other emergency measures, and call on the Commission to launch an effective exit strategy which includes large-scale tests and protective equipment personal for as many citizens as possible.

Situation of the rule of law and democracy in Europe during a pandemic: Hungary and Poland

MEPs also express their deep concern about the measures taken by the Hungarian government to extend the state of emergency indefinitely, to authorize themselves to legislate by decree without limiting this power in time and to weaken parliamentary control. In addition, they describe as illegal the decision of the Polish government to modify the electoral code and consider completely incompatible with the European values ​​the organization of presidential elections in the middle of the pandemic.

MEPs call on the Commission to immediately assess whether the emergency measures comply with the EU treaties and to use all the tools and sanctions (including budgetary) at its disposal to deal with this serious and persistent violation. The Council will have to put back on the agenda the discussions and procedures related to the ongoing procedures under Article 7 against Poland and Hungary.

A European information channel to fight against disinformation

Finally, the resolution highlights that misinformation about the COVID-19 epidemic is a major public health problem. Therefore, the EU should set up a European information channel so that all citizens have access to accurate and verified information. MEPs also urge social media companies to take the necessary steps on their own to end misinformation and hate speech about the coronavirus.