Pandemic will test parliamentary scrutiny in Europe

Significance

Far-reaching law-making powers have been delegated to governments throughout Europe, which have engaged in unprecedented levels of public spending; the urgency posed by the pandemic made challenges from the courts less likely.

Impacts

• Few parliaments will make reputational gains from the COVID-19 experience, levels of public trust being already low before the pandemic.
• The distribution of public money for virus awareness campaigns has contributed to a trend of diminished media scrutiny in several countries.
• The disruption provoked by COVID-19 will hasten legislatures’ digitalisation with remote voting, committee sessions and hearings.