On Thursday 16 April, the European Finance Ministers examined the legislative proposal establishing the SURE unemployment reinsurance instrument to respond to the socio-economic crisis caused by COVID-19 (see EUROPE 12462/9).
The principle itself and the overall architecture of the instrument in gestation are not controversial, since these main elements were agreed in principle at the recent Eurogroup meeting in inclusive format (see EUROPE 12465/2).
But, according to one European source, the main stumbling block concerns the legal language that will be used to affirm the temporary nature of SURE.
Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden call for the inclusion of a sunset clause, with the Danish delegation even calling for a fixed date to be considered. These countries argue that such an instrument was not envisaged before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that they accept it because of the exceptional circumstances facing the EU.
On the other hand, the countries of southern Europe are opposed to the inclusion of such a clause.
The Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union wishes to move quickly, in order to send a message to the European leaders who will meet on Thursday 23 April. The EU Council’s national experts will work on the text early next week. And a political agreement by a qualified majority of Member States could be reached at the beginning of May, according to the Presidency.
Approval of the text does not require the European Parliament to take a position. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)