Democracy in Lockdown: What Role for the European Parliament in the COVID-19 Crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis poses a particular problem for parliamentary democracy: how to uphold democratic principles if parliamentarians cannot meet? Internally, assemblies need to adapt suddenly to digitalisation and remote participation; externally, the crisis disrupts legislative processes and the capacity to shape policy. This is especially noticeable for the European Union (EU), where crises often lead to a competition for leadership between executive and legislative powers. This project asks how the COVID-19 crisis has affected the principles of representation, deliberation and accountability in EU policymaking. It will initiate a debate about how the European Parliament can tailor EU priorities; help re-focus on European rather than national crisis-solving mechanisms; and use the new digital environment to maximise its voice(s).
Event:
What Role for the European Parliament in the COVID-19 Crisis?
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Euroscepticism
is still a challenge for the new European Parliament! Read more here.