In Conversation With Margrethe Vestager on COVID-19, its impact on the Single Market, bailouts and citizens

“How has your week been?” A seemingly simple question, but not in these days and particularly not for European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager. In our virtual ‘In Conversation With’ event on 27 March, Vestager outlined the Commission’s response to the current COVID-19 health crisis. The recently implemented Temporary Framework for state aid allows for common practices across Europe and prevents a fragmented response by the Member States. The Commission also actively works against ‘virus profiteering’ through small cartels as well as big tech companies. With regard to the use of data to tackle this health emergency, the Commissioner recalled the commitment to use “data for good” while adhering to strict standards that stay true to the privacy commitments of Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation.

The College of Commissioners is working hard on reversing the implementation of disruptive barriers to the Single Market through the introduction of green lines at border crossings, the establishment of European-wide public procurements for medical supplies and the close cooperation with the private sector.  Any short-term emergency responses need to be able to outlive the crisis as “we need to preserve the Single Market and make sure that it will be ready for a green and digital future in a post-COVID-19 reality.” Vestager made clear that the European Commission is “part of our democracy and not above it” and is therefore committed to ensuring that no policy that aims to tackle the current health emergency violates the essential building blocks of our societies – namely trust, transparency and accountability.