What awaits Europe in 2022?

The EU could not defeat pandemic in 2021. Pandemia, economy, conflicts with neighbours remain Europe's main challenges and trials, even for 2022?

Looking back in 2021 and 2022 prospects for the European Union can be summed up in one word: Pande! Fighting the pandemic of the coronary was and will remain a dominant subject. The new German Health Minister Carl Lauterbach, the SPD, which in the future will have an important voice in the round of 26 health ministers in the EU has made it clear in early December. “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a professional doctor, said the fourth wave of pandemic is severe, but in 2022 we may expect another trial.

Vaccination, vaccine, vaccine

We look forward to a new threat, that is, the option Omikron”, von der Leyen said in Brussels. The EU must act against it with strengthening vaccines. “Researchers tell us now that vaccines and updates offer the best protection against Covid.” In case they need to adjust it even against mutations. The EU has already signed agreements with production firms.

In 2021 the European Commission commissioned about 1 billion doses of vaccines for EU citizens. Another 350 million vaccines were given to the UN international initiative, COVAX. In Next Year The EU will continue to provide further vaccines. EC President Ursula von der Leyen promised the support of more production departments, especially in Africa, where more vaccines can be produced and sent to this continent. “We will strengthen our efforts to support Africa, where the vaccine quota is lower”, Ursula von der Leenen pledged.

Quotes in Still Low Member States

Brussels at first was very slow in securing the vaccine, and there was strong criticism from many member states. After the strong wave of infection in the spring, a calm summer of 2021 followed. Throughout the EU life was reopened, clubs and activities, people went on vacation. But in the EU, only a 66% quota of vaccine was reached, insufficient to stop the wave of infection in the fall and overload of the health system.

The EU vaccine quotas are different. They range from 26% in Bulgaria to 82% in Malta. For vaccination campaigns, safeguards such as tests or obligation for vaccination in the workplace, shops and restaurants or schools are responsible for member states. The EU can only see from Brussels the chaos of various measures and regulations throughout Europe. At least it was achieved that the EU's internal borders remain largely open, with the help of Corona's unified passport.

Austria, Germany want to introduce mandatory vaccine. Greece, Italy and other countries have predicted this for several professions. Even EC president von der Leyen said the debate over an obligation to vaccinate “is appropriate and necessary”. EU Health Ministers will consult in 2022 if it makes sense to introduce a mandatory vaccine across the EU.

Economic recovery and the Legal State

The recovery of the economy felt in 2021 should probably continue to target growth during 2022. One day budgets in crisis of many EU nations must be restored. For this, the 750 billion-euro EU fund from which the first installments have already been provided has been prepared. Joint-funded EU programme mainly benefits southern and eastern countries at the helm of Italy.

Poland and Hungary still do not receive funds. They have submitted investment programmes, but the European Commission will hand over the funds when the dispute over the rule of law with Poland and Hungary is resolved. The year 2021 was a year of major disputes about the rule of law and EU values, which national-conservative governments in Poland and Hungary are questioned or rejected.

In 2022, centrifugal forces in the EU are at risk of increasing. Now, when moderate German Chancellor Angela Merkel has left the European political scene, it could come to a show-down. The Hungarian prime minister, Victor Orban, has at least made it known. One thing is secure. The smell of durability, coverage and hesitation ended with Merkel. We now prepare for an open battle”, Orban said after the government's shift to Berlin.

Macro tries again

In 2022, the eyes of Europe are directed by France. French President Emmanuel Macro wants to be re-elected in April. At the same time, he will be the next president of the French EU presidency. Macron will show in the election campaign in the fight against a right front that he has changed Europe as promised. But especially in terms of foreign policy, Macron seeks to make the EU a “sovine” strategically located in the world arena. In a strategic “ ” in the spring it seeks to unite the 26 member states for common objectives in foreign policy against China, the US, Russia and the rest of the world.

Co-operation in foreign and defence policy must be added to this. Macron hopes, after the reluctant Merkel, to find a new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, an ally for his plans. The first test before Europe “sovane” can start early 2022. Likely Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to invasion Ukraine in January. How will the EU and NATO respond? Baltic states and Poland have long sought more protection, even from the EU.

Continued drama: Migration

The way it should be done with migration, refugees and asylum rights is an apple of ongoing EU fight, this appeared not only on the Belarus border in recent months, waves of migrants also have been on the Channel of La Mansch, Italy, Greece, and the Balkan route. In 2021 no progress was recorded. Will there be a solution in 2022? Keeping away, isolation, or will people be accepted and distributed? These are unanswered questions. Hardline representatives of migration want an EU without the right of asylum, as Balazs Orban, a deputy minister in Hungary. The current system does not stop people at the border, Orban has complained. And Amnesty International accuses the EU currently that it is standingly violating human and asylum rights on its borders and obliging people to take the dangerous journey. / DW