Europe reinvented

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC took the European Union on a rollercoaster ride. In the first months of 2020, the EU reassured itself into inaction: ‘We are prepared’. It was taken by surprise when Italy capsized. The lack of solidarity between countries seemed to bring the union – once again – to its knees. After the eurocrisis, the migration crisis and Brexit, this could be one crisis too many. But the EU crawled its way back: during six difficult months, the European Union managed to reinvent itself.

EUROPE REINVENTED takes you on a journey through the key moments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the EU and through the maze of European institutions. It provides clear answers to questions like:

• Could the COVID-19 outbreak have been predicted?


• What tools does the EU have to handle an emergency?


• How should Europe position itself in a leaderless world? • What is the link between climate change and COVID-19? • How will the EU get out of this massive economic crisis?

PETER VAN KEMSEKE holds a PhD in the history of international relations. As a Belgian diplomat he served at NATO, the United Nations in New York and the EU. He was special ad- viser to European Council president Herman Van Rompuy and worked for European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič.