Public trust in the European Union (EU) and European institutions like the European Central Bank (ECB) has suffered considerable strain in recent years due to the global financial crisis, the European sovereign debt crisis and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. At present, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is posing huge challenges for the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
In these stormy conditions, the “ship Europe” has, however, not run aground. European institutions and national governments have responded rapidly and comprehensively to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. Europe has learned the lessons from past crises and shown that it is capable of navigating, even through turbulent waters. A “Havarie Europa” is therefore not within sight.