Table of contents
Kira Godovanyuk “Start of US-UK trade negotiations.” Analytical papers №28, 2020 (№211)
Early May 2020 saw the start of the UK-US online trade negotiations. The deal was designed as a new milestone of the “special relationship”. But the negotiations seem to face a serious challenge caused by the US protectionism as the inherent part of the America First concept. In the meantime, the UK government wants to demonstrate a quick success of its foreign economic policy. There is a possibility that the negotiating parties in London and Washington may compromise on a mini-deal, which regulates some particular trade issues, serving at the same time as a symbol of the strong special relationship.
Vladislav Belov “The largest conjunctural program of the German government in the post-war history.” Analytical papers №27, 2020 (№210)
In early June, the German government's Coalition Committee approved the largest program of market-oriented assistance to economy in the post-war history, with a total amount of 130 billion euros. Its goal is not only to lead the country out of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but also to increase investment in digital and energy transformation – the basis of the European green deal. The author analyzes contents of the package, efficiency of the proposed measures, consequences for party-political processes and prospects for the German economy's recovery from the crisis.
Natalia Kondratieva “The work of the EAEU institutions in the context of the Coronavirus crisis.” Analytical papers №26, 2020 (№209)
The author assesses the rapid response of EAEU institutions to the initial stage of corona crisis. An analogy is drawn with the monetary crisis of 2014-2016, which led to significant reduction of the Union’s total GDP. The institutions focus on balancing the measures aimed at localizing the pandemic with the measures aimed at liberalizing the regime of mobile workers and movement of targeted goods. Another focus is on shifting target trade flows inside the group. The trend for deeper integration is likely to continue by limiting unilateral actions, coordinating policies, and maintaining the principles of internal market organization, first of all, the freedom of movement of factors and results of economic activity.
Oleg Okhoshin “Coronavirus in the United Kingdom: a look at Celtic regions.” Analytical papers №25, 2020 (№208)
COVID-19 pandemic became a serious test for the United Kingdom, which in early May 2020 took the second place in the world in the number of deaths from coronavirus. This grim statistics is largely associated with the mistakes of the British government, led by B. Johnson, which had not properly assessed the scale of threat and did not respond to it in time. The Committee COBRA, which co-ordinates actions of government bodies in response to national or regional crises, declared that the country was prepared for the fight against pandemic, but the UK government announced lockdown only on March 23, having lost the time to contain it. Unlike London the UK devolved administrations pursued proper steps to protect the health of the population and developed measures to combat the pandemic and economic damage caused by it after consultation with the central authorities.
Lyubov Shishelina “The impact of the pandemic on Central European politics and the economy.” Analytical papers №24, 2020 (№207)
The article analyzes the problems in Central European societies caused by measures aimed at fighting COVID-19. In most cases, the opposition has criticized the governments’ actions and sought to derail them. It happened in Slovakia, where the measures outlined by the previous government were hindered not for the benefit of citizens. In the Czech Republic, the opposition brought the dispute with the Minister of Health to court. In Poland, the victim of the pandemic was the presidential election, when the government failed to offer a clear solution to the problem in the allotted time. In Hungary, amid criticism of the government's tough decisions, quarantine measures were much more liberal than in neighboring countries. Nevertheless, driven by moderately favorable indicators of the virus spread, Visegrad countries started to lift the quarantine in early May. The attention is now focused on saving the economy. Brussels’ forecasts are pessimistic. As the population is highly concerned about the future, the governments have to make generous promises. The first results will be visible in the third quarter of 2020.
Sergey Fedorov “Prospects for the formation of a ‘government of national unity’ in France.” Analytical papers №23, 2020 (№206)
Overcoming the dire consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in France will be a challenge for the country's leadership. Mobilization and cohesion of the whole French society will be required. In current conditions, President Macron and his team intend to develop a new political course that could unite all the constructive forces of the country. In this regard, the idea of forming a "government of national unity" is being actively discussed in France. The author considers the attitude of various political forces of the country to this idea and evaluates the prospects for its implementation.
Kira Godovanyuk “The United Kingdom between Brexit and the pandemic: an international dimension.” Analytical papers №22, 2020 (№205)
The coronavirus pandemic challenges not only the UK domestic security, the NHS system and the level of public trust in the authorities. The global self-isolation regime has updated the international agenda. The UK withdrawal from the EU has opened a new page of British foreign policy. It is the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that will be a catalyst for the UK foreign policy strategy. The author explores the UK approach towards key international actors such as the US, China, Russia. It is concluded that the post pandemic UK will be adjusting its foreign strategy to a new world order with high level of information confrontation. The coronavirus crisis will speed up the development of UK policy strategy towards China and correct the UK-US “special relationship”.
Vladislav Belov “FRG: party and political life in the context of a pandemic.” Analytical papers №21, 2020 (№204)
The scandalous elections in Thuringia's Landtag in early February 2020 had a significant impact on the party and political processes in Germany, primarily in the people's parties forming the government of the "Grand Coalition". In March, intra-party discussions faded into the background, giving way to the unification of all political forces in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The CDU/CSU and SPD received unconditional support from the opposition in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, which immediately approved the government's anti-crisis package. But since the second half of April, political competition has once again gained momentum, marking the beginning of an informal campaign for seats in the future composition of the lower house of the federal parliament.
Mikhail Vedernikov “Slovakia's new government: first month in office.” Analytical papers №20, 2020 (№203)
Fighting with сoronavirus in Slovakia goes along with significant political transformations, caused by coming to power of the new government led by I. Matovič. Being an irreconcilable fighter with his predecessors, members of «Direction – Social Democracy» party, the new PM has not eased the pressure and continues to use anti-Direction rhetoric in his activities. In the present crisis, as shown in the article, such an approach is counterproductive. Moreover, the first month of the new government’s operation was marred by conflicts between its members.
Elena Ananieva “Coronavirus in Britain.” Analytical papers №19, 2020 (№202)
The UK government initially adhering to the herd immunity concept later was drawn to the concept of self-isolation taking measures belatedly. In April it was revealed that official statistics were understated and the impact on economy was severe. The state of NHS becomes an issue of national security. Still the UK is not going to prolong talks with the EU on future relations and engage in joint EU measures to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vladislav Belov “COVID-19 as a mirror of Germany's digital transformation.” Analytical papers №18, 2020 (№201)
Digital transformation has been the «poor child» of German government for several years. Despite numerous initiatives, pacts, programs and rulings of the Grand Coalition, in power since December 2013, Germany's world rankings in terms of digitalization are significantly inferior to other leading industrial states. The crisis caused by coronavirus pandemic has exposed the existing deficits in digitization political and economic processes in Germany. This paper analyzes the current state and prospects for further development, including the context of cooperation of Germany and Russia.
Olga Shimanskaya “State-Church relations (European experience).” Analytical papers №17, 2020 (№200)
The article provides comparative analysis of development of European and Russian legislation on state-confessional relations and use of sacred concepts in preambles of constitutions. It is emphasized that introduction of sacred words into legislature draws attention of lawmakers and law enforcers to the Christian cultural values historically inherent in Europe. The main models of stateconfessional relations are identification, separation and cooperation. Since they were formed in modern Europe, they are constantly being adjusted in accordance with public inquiries: migration, general population crisis caused by coronavirus.
Roman Lunkin “Orthodoxy in the fight against coronavirus and in opposition to the government.” Analytical papers №16, 2020 (№199)
The article analyzes the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the Church-State relations and activity of religious associations. Religious institutions express their loyalty to the demands of authorities in general but some aspects require special approach from officials and politicians. Different Christian confessions showed deep engagement in social service and ability to mobilize resources to help to people in need. The basic reason of conflicts between the clergy and officials is withstanding of religious worldview and neoliberal secular ideology. It was possible to avoid conflicts in the situations when representatives of the state arranged personal contacts with church leaders. Resolution of the problems mainly depends on the skills of authorities to find the balance in relations with believers.
Petr Oskolkov “Populism and Coronavirus: How the pandemic impacts Europe's right-wing populist parties.” Analytical papers №15, 2020 (№198)
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious challenge not only for the public health and economy in the EU, but also for the political field. Different political forces try to coin their own behavioral strategies in the pandemic situation. The success of those strategies will depend on further development of the crisis. The author analyzes the effect and possible consequences of the coronavirus spread in the world for right-wing populist parties of the European Union. The author attempts to answer whether populism may benefit from the situation, pass a crash test in crisis situation and regain power prior to regular national elections.
Olga Potemkina “The European Union: restricting the movement of citizens as a means of combating COVID-19.” Analytical papers №14, 2020 (№197)
The author analyses three groups of measures the EU has taken to counter the spread of COVID-19 pandemic: reintroduction of internal border control, intra-EU travel bans, restrictions or bans on entering the EU. The EU leaders initially did not intend to impose such measures and called upon Member States to coordinate their actions only when they started imposing restrictions unilaterally. These bans are legitimate by a number of EU legal acts, but their practical implementation will be very difficult.
Vladislav Belov “New industrial strategy of the European Union.” Analytical papers №13, 2020 (№196)
On March 10, 2020, the European Commission (EC) published three documents forming the EU's new industrial strategy, replacing the previous one adopted in May 2017. Their main idea is to increase the competitiveness of the EU's economic and political space at the expense of industrial sector undergoing environmental and digital transformation. The EC pays special attention to industrial ecosystems, new alliances, breakthrough technologies, the role of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as removal of existing obstacles for business in the single domestic market. The author analyzes the main provisions of the new strategy, assesses their essence and prospects for implementation.
Ludmila Babynina “Coronavirus: What the European Union can and is doing.” Analytical papers №12, 2020 (№195)
The spread of coronavirus in Europe has naturally led to responses from national governments. Many EU countries accused the European Union of inaction. But the functions and capabilities of the European Union are clearly limited in the Founding Treaty. The author analyzes what exactly and in what areas the EU is able and already doing to combat the coronavirus and its consequences, where its actions are the most effective and what consequences have resulted from unilateral actions of member-states.
Lyubov Shishelina “Visegrad countries: State responsibility in the fight against the pandemic.” Analytical papers №11, 2020 (№194)
The article analyzes the approach of Visegrad countries to fighting COVID-19 pandemic. It is clearly different from the pan-European mobilization strategy, demonstrating greater responsibility of the relatively young EU members for their population. Compared to Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other «core» EU countries, caught up in fighting the pandemic by themselves, the resolute approach of Budapest, Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava provokes criticism from both the Brussels establishment and officials of some countries. Perhaps, the recent experience of Visegrad countries' active fighting against uncontrolled migration explains their determination to halt the «invisible migration» of coronavirus.
Roman Lunkin “The future of European identity amid the Coronavirus crisis.” Analytical papers №10, 2020 (№193)
The article analyzes possible impact of coronavirus pandemic on the European identity. The struggle with the virus indirectly intensified the problems of EU solidarity, national sovereignty, perception of national traditions, culture, religion. The transformation will alter the attitude to political correctness, identity policy and minority rights, revise the values of globalization for the sake of national interests of each country. The author concludes that the European solidarity will rebuild itself in dialogue between countries and ordinary people. And the struggle with the virus will become an integral part of historical memory of the Europeans.
