The governments of Hungary and Poland have threatened to block the EU’s next budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, and the bloc’s recovery package over provisions that recipients of funds must follow rule of law principle. Should their veto persist, then the timely adoption of the budget deal before the current budget expires on the 31 December 2020 becomes doubtful. (Source: POLITICO)
The European Commission has disbursed another €14 billion to nine EU countries in the second instalment of financial aid under the SURE instrument which supports the financing of national short-time working schemes. Italy received €6,5 billion, Spain €4 billion, Greece €2 billion. The remainder was disbursed to Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovenia.
According to the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, the majority of people approved of the EU’s handling of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the bloc, 61% approved of the response, with Germans the most satisfied at 73%. (Source: Euronews)
More than half of EU citizens say the pandemic has caused them financial hardship. According to a new Kantar survey, 57% of respondents are experiencing financial problems, with 27% indicating they had lost income, 23% stating they have to use savings prematurely, 20% reporting they have experienced unemployment. The situation is the gravest in Hungary where 44% of respondents reported losing income, followed by Spain (42%), Cyprus (41%) and Greece (40%). (Source: POLITICO)