Virus Outbreak Tests EU: New York Times

The abrupt coronavirus outbreak poses a tough test for the EU’s solidarity and democracy as well as its US alliance. Italy, where the outbreak is most severe, asked for aid from fellow EU members without success. Germany and France restricted the export of healthcare goods while Austria and the Czech Republic banned travelers from Italy. On the other hand, China immediately sent medical experts and medical goods to Italy. Stronger steps taken by some countries, such as controlling movement of citizens and locking down cities, have challenged longstanding European traditions of democracy and human rights. The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis might provide an ideal opportunity for far-right populists in Europe, who strongly oppose globalization and the EU itself. US President Donald Trump decided to impose a travel ban on EU travelling and blamed European allies for inaction, deepening mistrust. Meanwhile, the high economic costs of the COVID-19 crisis will further weaken European economies. – YaleGlobal

Virus Outbreak Tests EU: New York Times

The coronavirus outbreak and economic crisis is a test for EU solidarity, democracy and values, including human rights and globalization
Steven Erlanger
Thursday, March 19, 2020

Read the article from the New York Times about how COVID-19 could encourage far-right populism and fracture the EU.

Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe for The New York Times, a position he assumed in 2017. He is based in Brussels. Mr. Erlanger shared the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for a series about Russia, and was part of a team awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, for his work on Al Qaeda.

 Countries	Cases	Deaths Italy	 35,713 	 2,978  Spain	 13,716 	 598  France	 9,134 	 244  Germany	 8,198 	 13  Netherlands	 2,051 	 58  Austria	 1,646 	 4  Belgium	 1,486 	 14  Sweden	 1,301 	 10  Denmark	 1,115 	 4

(Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)

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