4th EHP Round: European Health Policy

On this question, the participants chose an average value of 6.4 on a scale from 0 (definitely not) to 10 (yes, absolutely).
The most important argument in favor of relocating the production of necessary medical products to the EU is the associated gain in independence vis-à-vis third countries. With the demand for autonomy, the participants associated both that the European Union would gain competences and that third countries would have fewer possibilities to exert pressure on the EU to obtain concessions. The most important counter-argument mentioned was that relocalization of the production of medical products could provoke protectionist reactions from non-EU countries and thus indirectly harm the EU economy and the EU's political position.

The participants gave rather low values for this question. The average value here is 4.1, with a wide spread of voting results. Opinions are therefore divided on this question. The participants tend to be in favor of exports of vaccines, even though Europe's population is not yet fully supplied. Counterarguemnt for many participants was above all that all countries of the world should be considered equally in this crisis. Vaccine nationalism" contradicts the fundamental values of the EU.

The proponents of the export restriction also put solidarity first. For them, this means first showing solidarity with other EU citizens. In particular, the provision of public services for the welfare of citizens must take priority over the economic interests of companies and geopolitical considerations. In summary, most of the
House parliamentarians would like to see more solidarity in the distribution of vaccines. It is the task of the European Union to ensure the health of its population. The export policy should not be at the expense of European citizens.

The third question shows a clear picture of sentiment. On average, the participants chose a value of 7.5, a clear vote in favor of a European vaccination passport, with which travel freedoms can be regained. The majority of the European House Parliaments, wishes to travel unrestricted in the EU, this is however attached to conditions. One condition is that the people traveling are not infectious to others. Opponents of the proposal criticize this in particular for the resulting discrimination against young people who at the time did not have the opportunity to be vaccinated or those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. Such discrimination should be excluded. Decision-makers should keep this in mind when discussing quarantine obligations.