EU Health Solidarity in Times of Crisis: Explaining Public Preferences for EU Risk-Pooling for medicines

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus crisis in Europe, EU health solidarity is at the centre of political debate. Whereas EU health solidarity can be organised in different ways, very little is known about its social legitimacy. How can we understand public opinion towards this particular issue of European integration? To contribute to this debate, this study examines citizens’ preferences on EU-risk pooling in the context of joint procurement for medicines. Drawing on data from a conjoint experiment in 5 EU member states, the study reveals that public preferences on the specific policy design of EU risk-pooling and potential redistribution based on medical need are shaped by ideology and Euroscepticism. How citizens’ perceived threat of COVID-19 affects preferences for EU risk-pooling for medicines seems to be context-specific. Results have important implications for our understanding of support for EU health solidarity as a precondition for political and legal action.