EU buckling under pressure of coronavirus

Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels

A European Commission document dated the 25th of March reveals the current supply in the EU of vital ventilators and also protective clothing is sufficient to serve just 10 percent of demand. Moving these items, essential in the fight against the coronavirus, between member states is also a problem due to new internal border controls. The EU's 27 commissioners met on Wednesday. They were clearly concerned by the actions of some countries within the bloc. For example, the Hungarian Government wants to extend its state of emergency indefinitely, a move that would give Prime Minister Viktor Orban substantial power.

As the crisis persists in the EU, particularly in Italy, Spain, Germany and France, the lack of cooperation on some fronts within the bloc is attracting criticism.

Eurozone finance ministers have taken part in a video conference. They have welcomed the relaxing of strict European Commission austerity-focused budget controls.

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