Federalism and the management of the COVID-19 crisis: centralisation, decentralisation and (non-)coordination

The ability of federal states to manage the COVID-19 pandemic has created much debate. Federations differ considerably in way they have been tackling crisis, however. To shed light on how European federations (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) managed COVID-19, this paper distinguishes two dimensions decision making: centralised/decentralised and unilateral/coordinated making. Drawing official government documents press reports, it examines decisions introduction containment measures their subsequent easing during first wave. While Austria Switzerland adopted a centralised approach, decentralised making prevailed Germany. However, most were coordinated between governments at constituent unit level contrast where unilateralism prevailed. This difference approaches can partly be explained by distribution powers. Political economic factors also influenced choice crisis management strategies.