EUROPEAN UNION DURING THE 2020 PANDEMIC: STRATEGY, MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, CONFLICTS AND CONCENSUS

Abstract

Objective. The objective of the article is the evaluation of the strategy and management decisions of the European Union in the context of the 2020 pandemic, identification of the main advantages and disadvantages. Methods. The following general scientific methods and techniques of cognition are used in the research process: theoretical generalization and comparison, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, grouping, abstraction. Results. The study identifies the features of EU governance in the run-up to the pandemic (approval of the Strategic Agenda, which includes protection of citizens and freedoms, development of the economic base, creation of a greener, fairer and inclusive future, promotion of European interests and values in the world; UK with the EU; preparation of the EU budget), decisionmaking mechanisms by EU legislative and executive institutions are defined, namely by the European Council (setting priorities (limiting the spread of the virus, providing medical equipment and supplies, stimulating research, supporting economic measures, roadmap) recovery), approval of mechanisms for concerted action, adaptation of state aid rules, resolution of technical issues), by the European Commission (preparation of business support rules, formation of the First and Second investment packages, redistribution of the Fund jointly and severally (preparation of budget proposals), by the European Parliament (approval of packages of measures for the recovery of the EU economy, new approaches to the formation of health care and unemployment insurance systems, improvement of hospital infrastructure, etc.). The main changes in the European legislation aimed at overcoming the consequences of COVID 19 and the formation of a recovery strategy are identified, shortcomings (inertia in making urgent decisions) and advantages of EU governance processes in 2020 (timely response (from April 2020), high level coordination of actions, rapid adaptation of EU rules to new requirements, comprehensive use of the principle of flexibility, use of mechanisms for protection of strategic assets, etc.) are analyzed.