GERMAN PRESIDENCY OF THE EU

In less than 60 days, Germany will be taking over the presidency of the European Union. The German presidency’s agenda will be dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and its grave consequences for social cohesion, the economy and the idea of a borderless Europe. Germany has to take the opportunity to help shape the ‘new start for Europe’.  The current crisis, which has pushed the European economies into economic and societal distress, requires decisive handling by Germany.  

Subject at the forefront of the Council presidency

1. Building an efficient European health system in all EU countries
2. Ensuring that the health system of all countries are equally well equipped to deal with the virus and receive financial support, otherwise there is a risk that borders will be closed again as soon as the number of infections in individual regions increases again.
3. Strengthening the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control possibly through the next long-term EU budget and increase in its staff.
4. Bringing drug and medtech production back to Europe
5. Boosting Digital health care system
6. EU’s long term budget. (Financing the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU and bringing it to a conclusion by the end of the year, new sources of income must be identified for the EU budget e.g. European financial transaction tax or a European minimum tax).
7. Reconstruction fund (It makes complete sense that the financing of Europe’s reconstruction should be anchored in the EU budget). money for the reconstruction fund on the capital market with the additional resources. While the idea is welcome, it will be difficult to structure its implementation. This is because it is not only the Council that has to unanimously agree on increasing own funds but all national and individual regional parliaments must also each approve the decision by majority.
8. Fishery quotas that expire at the end of the year.
9. Negotiations for the EU’s future relationship with the U.K which risks heading towards a showdown in the fall as London refuses to request an extension to the current transition period which terminates at the end of the year.
10. Redefining the bloc with China
11. European Green Deal
12. Industrial Strategy
13. Digitalization
14. Reform of the Common Asylum System.