EPRS/IMF online event | Towards European economic recovery: How big a rebound will we see in 2021?

The coronavirus pandemic is exacting a heavy toll on the European economy, but thanks to a strong policy response, more devastating outcomes have been avoided. Economic activity is forecast to rebound in 2021, though the strength of the recovery will crucially depend on the course of containment strategies amidst an intense second wave of infections, on people’s behaviour, and on the degree of policy support. Prospects remain highly uncertain but a faster-than-expected vaccine availability could strengthen the rebound. How effective was the policy response in Europe so far in supporting workers and businesses and preventing permanent scarring? What needs to be done going forward to strengthen the rebound? How can the crisis response be leveraged to address medium-term challenges like climate change, digitalization, and rising inequality? This presentation and discussion of the most recent IMF 'Regional Economic Outlook for Europe' (October 2020) will address these questions and the appropriate policy mix to address the multiple risks ahead. Tuesday, 8 December 2020 | 17:00 -18:30 hours SPEAKERS: Welcome and moderation by Anthony TEASDALE, Director General, European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) Opening remarks by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament Presentation of the ‘IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Europe’ (October 2020) by Alfred KAMMER, Director, European Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC Roundtable discussion with: Cinzia ALCIDI, Director of Research, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS); Iain BEGG, Professorial Research Fellow, European Institute, London School of Economics (LSE); Jacob Funk KIRKEGAARD, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund (GMF); Non-resident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) RELATED DOCUMENTS: IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Europe’ (October 2020): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/R...