In Croatia, an allegedly independent group of experts have pulled the strings in the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. But this crisis management has in fact been deeply political, writes journalist and novelist Slavenka Drakulić. Dependent on tourism, EU’s youngest member state plays a risky game where political power and economy stand against the lives of the most vulnerable. In the end the future of democracy could be at stake.
The €750 billion meant to help Europe recover from the coronavirus crisis could have a profound impact on the very functioning of the EU. However, it will be necessary to ensure that the EU has the adequate means available to transform this experiment and consider its future beyond the crisis, says expert Tremeur Denigot.
Mass data collection, geo-location tracking and facial recognition have become normalised in the climate of widespread fear of contagion. Yet these threats to privacy, liberty and democracy will only deepen with the imposition of contact tracing apps.
During this week’s summit, the EU’s national leaders must come to a decision on the nearly € 750 billion earmarked for relaunching the Union’s economy. Even if it is unlikely that a detailed agreement will be found, the twenty-seven member states may lay the groundwork for a profound reform of the Union, suggests expert Guillaume Klossa.
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