At the same time, analysts note that “the Italian government acts very courageously and consistently”, in fact overnight adapting the concept of “social distance” of the population.
Germany and other EU countries are engaged in discussions on how to avoid a repeat of the situation in Italy, where the coronavirus is particularly difficult, but European partners do not see how much the country contributes to overcoming the crisis and do not act with any substantial assistance or solidarity. This opinion was expressed by Tobias Merchel, head of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung office in Rome, Luca Argenta, researcher in the same foundation’s office, and Michael Brown, political scientist, in a joint article published on the online platform “International Politics and Society” run by the Foundation.
The authors noted that “the Italian government acts very courageously and consistently”, actually overnight adapting the concept of “social distance” of the population. “It was brave to be the first to take such a path, which means that elementary democratic rights will be temporarily severely restricted”, – the article says.
“But the first reaction of European partners, institutions and media to radical Italian measures was mockery, underestimation and inaction. Only now, when cases of infection have spread significantly throughout Europe and all EU countries are affected by the virus, similar emergency measures are taken with unnecessary slowness”, – the authors noted.
In Italy, the impression is that “Europe again left her alone during a severe crisis, as it was during the euro crisis after 2008, then during the crisis with refugees from 2015 and now to overcome the crisis due to the virus 2020”, – the material states.
According to experts, one of the surveys showed that 88% of Italians answered negatively to the question “whether the EU will help Italy”. The authors recall that the Italian side, despite requests, has not received offers of assistance from any EU country since February, until March 15, the European Commission was informed that only protective masks and other medical material from Germany and France would arrive.
A solidarity-free approach
“Uncoordinated action, confusing communication and a lack of solidarity are hardly the right way to overcome this unprecedented crisis in Europe”, – the authors emphasize.
The virus knows no borders, and only a concentrated and rapid action can minimize the impact of the disease, they say.
“The EU should quickly use the solidarity clause in paragraph 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and offer assistance. It allows the EU to mobilize “all means at its disposal” if a Member State is “hit by a natural or man-made disaster”, – they recall.