Marked by major crises, the year 2020 pushed the European Union to make innovative decisions, such as a joint loan aimed at financing the 750 billion euro recovery plan. To continue on this path in 2021, however, it will need to navigate successfully several important electoral and institutional milestones.
The year will be marked by two major events. First, the German parliamentary elections in September. By that time, Angela Merkel has already announced that she will end her 16-year term as head of the German government. The Union will thus lose one of its major figures, as the chancellor was well-versed in the intricacies of European politics. The identity of her successor and their ability to maintain the current strong Franco-German dynamic could prove crucial for the future of the EU.
Additionally, the Conference on the Future of Europe, which was initially scheduled to launch on May 9, 2020, has been postponed. The next date is not yet known, but this event should allow civil society to define, in a participatory and transparent manner, the upcoming priorities for the European Union.
After a German presidency primarily marked by discussions on the budget and the recovery plan, 2021 will be punctuated by the presidencies of Portugal and Slovenia. In this interval, France, which is set to take over the EU’s rotating presidency in 2022, must prepare the ground to ensure its mandate is as fruitful as possible.
