Unions from Italy, Spain and Germany have addressed the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a joint letter on Friday, 3 April 2020. They voice deep concern about the European Union’s capacity for effective action in managing the current health crisis, as “Member States have still failed to deliver convincing joint answers to the existential challenge of the innovative virus pandemic”.

They warn that a lack of decisive action by the European institutions will impact negatively on solidarity within the European Union.

Members States are disproportionately affected by the health emergency and have different capacities to manage the crisis. It is argued that this calls for a large-scale concerted action in the EU. Lack of decisive action, absence of joint responsibility and solidarity is risking the political legitimacy of the European Union and fuelling Euro-sceptic parties especially in Italy and Spain – point out the authors of the letter.

IndustriAll Europe has been calling for an EU collective response from the onset of the crisis and wholeheartedly supports the appeals in the joint letter of our Italian, Spanish and German affiliates. We will continue working with our affiliates and put forward our detailed demands for a secure and strong recovery.

Read the full letter here:  DE  EN  ES  IT

Contact: Andrea Husen-Bradley, press and communication