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

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

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

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

Travel restrictions and border shutdowns generated by the Covid-19 pandemic have impacted our economic and social life. Much work has been done at European level to improve reporting of data on Covid-19, and to better understand when travel restrictions become a necessary part of protecting public health. In the event of a future health emergency, the routines established and the experience gained recently will help improve the management of travel restrictions. Reform of the Schengen Treaty can make it easier to meet future challenges while at the same time making sure that those living in Europe can continue to benefit from free movement. Broader global cooperation and coordination is also important.

EPRS - The future of EU borders in times of pandemic

Members discuss on a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. Statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), author of the report on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU and the vote results (Wednesday 20 October).

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), rapporteur and extract from the final vote

Parliament debates on proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists and cultural workers, who are among those hardest-hit by the pandemic. Closing statement by the rapporteur, Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU) and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. MEPs are set to call for a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. The draft text MEPs will vote on lists further actions to support the sector, like facilitating cross-border mobility with dedicated programmes for young creators and innovators, possibly revised requirements on visas, taxation, and social security, and the cross-border recognition of arts-based education degrees.

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Parliament debates on proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists and cultural workers, who are among those hardest-hit by the pandemic. MEPs are set to call for a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. The draft text MEPs will vote on lists further actions to support the sector, like facilitating cross-border mobility with dedicated programmes for young creators and innovators, possibly revised requirements on visas, taxation, and social security, and the cross-border recognition of arts-based education degrees.

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: MEPs debate

Parliament debates on proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists and cultural workers, who are among those hardest-hit by the pandemic. Opening statement by the rapporteur, Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU) and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. MEPs are set to call for a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. The draft text MEPs will vote on lists further actions to support the sector, like facilitating cross-border mobility with dedicated programmes for young creators and innovators, possibly revised requirements on visas, taxation, and social security, and the cross-border recognition of arts-based education degrees.

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: opening statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: opening statements by Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL), rapporteur and by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission, and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE) FEMM. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: opening statements by Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL), rapporteur, Dubravka ŠUICA, Vicepresident of the European Commission and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020.

social life (T)

Videos

EPRS - The future of EU borders in times of pandemic

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), rapporteur and extract from the final vote

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: MEPs debate

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: opening statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: opening statements by Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL), rapporteur, Dubravka ŠUICA, Vicepresident of the European Commission and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE)

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: MEPs debate

Photos

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

EP plenary session.- Decent and affordable housing for all

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Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life (2020)

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life

Demography in the EU

Seasonal time change

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EPRS policy podcast - Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises

EPRS policy podcast - Demography on the European agenda: Strategies for tackling demographic decline

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived

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