Analysis by Gergely Fejérdy, Tamás Levente Molnár, Barnabás Szabó and Gergely Varga
Once the new coronavirus pandemic is over, the European Union will not be the same as before. The far-reaching political, economic, and social effects of the current crisis will override many rules and mechanisms in the EU, potentially reshaping the course of European integration. The epidemic has once again highlighted the weaknesses of the EU institutions, as the Member States seem to be the main active players in crisis management. The lack of solidarity between the Member States is a stress test for the survival of the integration project. Fighting the virus will require countries to pursue sound scientific pragmatism and responsible cooperation at a European level, but the political processes of national isolation could easily play into the hands of Eurosceptic and nationalist forces. As a result of the crisis, European economies may have to be significantly restructured, and, based on current developments, it is difficult to see how the EU will emerge from the current situation as the “smaller loser” in global comparison. The EU’s soft power capability is expected to weaken, and the perception of China may change radically.