The Crisis management in the European Union on the example of the Covid-19 pandemic
The Crisis management in the European Union on the example of the Covid-19 pandemic

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The Eurozone crisis revealed specific methods of crisis management which were largely inspired by German politicians. They preferred austerity policy, introducing strong financial conditionality, centralizing management, and finally, a narrative that was supposed to legitimize the introduced changes and stigmatize opponents. The aim of the article is to verify those methods in relation to the pandemic crisis in the EU. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The issuance of common debt during the pandemic was contrary to the preferred line of management used during the Eurozone crisis. However, the methods of implementing the debt fund during the pandemic resembled the methods used during the common currency crisis. The described inconsistencies resulted from disputes between the Member States. The research methodology is based on the analysis of sources and scientific literature. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The first part of the article presents the main features of the management of the Eurozone crisis. Then they are confronted with management during the pandemic. RESEARCH RESULTS: At the beginning of the pandemic crisis, decision-makers partially departed from the methods used during the common currency crisis, especially in fiscal policy. In the next phase, there was a return to the methods known from the Eurozone crisis. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The continuation of crisis management in the EU shows a low ability to correct mistakes or to learn from crisis to crisis among European decision-makers. The continuation of methods indicates also protection of national interests. It also shows a stronger influence of German decision-makers in negotiations in relation to France and its allies from Southern Europe. This is a hint for the study of subsequent crises in the EU in terms of power relations in the EU.

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