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A tourist wearing a facemask walks past Rome's closed Colisseum as Italy imposed unprecedented national restrictions on its 60 million people to control COVID-19. Alberto Pizzoli/AFP
Some European Members of Parliament have blasted Brussels for its handling of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, saying it's been "absent" in Italy's moment of need.
Few held back their anger and frustration and many blamed Brussels for a bungled and slow response. They also said years of austerity have left European health systems woefully underprepared to face this crisis.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Italian MEPs used some of the harshest words.
"To hell with European constraints. To hell with the stability pact. To hell with your point zero," said Italian MEP Mara Bizzotto. "Italy and the Italians cannot die of the virus because of budget constraints."
Italy has been hardest hit by the coronavirus, with 9,172 confirmed cases and 463 deaths as of Monday. Italian officials have now effectively placed the entire country of 60 million under lockdown.
Some MEPs blasted Germany, France and Czechia, which have imposed export bans on medical gear such as masks, gloves and goggles.
"It will really put the resilience of our global modern society to the test," said Austrian MEP Roman Haider. "The European Parliament has not passed the test. It's the second largest democratic representation in the world and it seems to be taking rapid, panicked decisions.”
An Italian Carabinieri police officer performs driving permission controls in Milan. /Miguel Medina/AFP
Turn on the fiscal taps
Many MEPs called for the money that has been collected over the years and is now sitting on the fiscal margins to be mobilized. Germany has the biggest war chest, but is also the most resistant to spend.
MEPs called on the Commission use its resources, whether money or influence, to ensure medical equipment is available, that workers who are forced to self-isolate don't lose their incomes and that businesses impacted by this outbreak are given support to stay afloat.
"I'm afraid we're heading towards a new recession. I'm afraid that Europe is going towards a new economic crisis," said Croatian MEP Valter Flego. "So I would like to ask the Commission to specifically use the funds, but also discussions with prime ministers, to resolve this situation."
Another area of concern for many is Europe's dependence on third-party nations, such as China and India, for medical equipment and drugs. MEPs would like to see a full assessment of whether there's scope to bring some of that manufacturing back to Europe.
Stella Kyriakides, EU commissioner for health and food safety, says the bloc dedicates $53.7 million a week to finding a coronavirus cure. /Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP
Commission rebuttal
The Commission did have a chance to rebut some of these claims. Stella Kyriakides, the European commissioner for health and food safety, highlighted some of Brussels' interventions. She pointed to her near-weekly contact with EU health ministers, the $53.7 million, which has been dedicated to vaccine development and new treatment options, as well as a plan to diversify Europe's dependence on third-party countries for medicines.
She also said the Commission met with social media platforms last week to discuss how everyone can better fight fake news.
"We're taking it extremely seriously," said Kyriakides. "And everyone, everyone, has a part to play in this, so we can all be sure that what is out there for citizens is scientifically based, responsible information."
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