France is spearheading a significant opposition against the European Union’s proposal to consolidate its health crisis authority with its civil protection unit. The proposed merger raises serious concerns about the EU’s effectiveness in managing health emergencies.
The role of HERA in Europe’s health defense
The European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) was established in 2021 with the aim of enhancing the EU’s preparedness for health threats and ensuring effective responses. Since its inception, HERA has played a crucial role in securing vaccines for EU member states, enhancing disease monitoring through a wastewater surveillance network, and addressing the bloc’s drug shortages.
The European Commission has recently conducted a review of HERA. Although the findings have not yet been released, officials from member countries indicate that the report includes recommendations to merge HERA with the Commission’s civil protection and humanitarian aid body, known as DG ECHO.
Concerns over independent governance
A letter set to be submitted to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday—obtained by POLITICO—reveals that France, along with ten other nations, has voiced strong objections. The document states:
“Merging or attaching DG HERA to another Commission DG would not guarantee the current system of governance which guarantees independent decision making, respect for the competencies of member states, and a high degree of stakeholder involvement.”
The coalition of countries is advocating for the preservation of HERA’s current structure as an independent Directorate-General within the European Commission. They argue that similar to the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the functions of HERA are critical, especially in the present geopolitical landscape that necessitates an autonomous EU capacity to prevent crises and respond effectively to emergencies.
France is joined in this opposition by Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland, with additional support from Portugal, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Greece, and Estonia. The resistance gained momentum during a HERA board meeting held on Tuesday, where representatives from various capitals expressed their concerns.
According to minutes from the meeting, which have been reviewed by POLITICO, Germany raised alarms regarding the merger despite it not being on the agenda. The German representative’s position was reinforced by France, which encouraged other member states to rally behind a statement they were preparing for von der Leyen.
An anonymous official indicated that the proposed merger may be linked to political negotiations regarding the competencies of the health commissioner role, particularly in relation to Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi. While political factions reached an agreement in November to confirm him as health commissioner, they stripped him of authority over HERA, transferring its oversight to Crisis Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.