Covid-19 as a potential accelerator. A euro-centric perspective

Abstract

In the words of the IMF, the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have generated “a crisis like no other”. Economic shocks often result in social and political quivers within states but also affect relations between states. In the short conceptual note that follows, we concentrate on the European Union and we explore the possible effects the COVID-19 economic fallout will have on its already strained cohesion. We argue that it has the potential to act as an accelerator towards greater European integration.