Virus pandemic may fuel euroskepticism: Italian premier

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - There is a “clear” risk that the coronavirus pandemic could fuel euroskepticism in Italy and other European countries, Italy’s prime minister has warned.

"Nationalist instincts, in Italy and other countries, will be very strong if Europe is not up to the challenge," Giuseppe Conte told Spanish daily El Pais on Monday.

Conte has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that the EU’s failure to provide a coordinated response to the COVID-19 emergency has endangered the bloc's future.

A special EU summit last week rejected the use of so-called “coronabonds,” a form of common debt advocated by Italy and other EU partners to offset the pandemic’s fallout.

Some of the stricter EU partners – namely Germany and the Netherlands -- oppose the option.

Conte openly expressed his disappointment after European leaders failed to agree on a common plan during a six-hour video conference last Thursday.

Italy and Spain, two of the world’s worst-hit countries, blocked the EU’s final statement because they believed it did not go far enough.

"The number of unemployed we will have after this tsunami will be very high. We must get ready for a reconstruction before that happens," added Conte.

The EU has already given Italy increased financial flexibility to help it face the coronavirus emergency and avoid a painful new recession, which would be lethal for its fragile economy.

Conte, however, has said that is not enough.

Conte also told El Pais that the near-total lockdown imposed on Italian citizens is a "very tough" measure and cannot be extended for a very long period, as it has had a heavy impact on the economy.

He added that the government will lift it gradually and make sure to act in a "proportionate" manner.

Conte’s government is expected to issue a new decree in the next few days to extend the lockdown for at least another two weeks.