Coronavirus has revealed the EU's fatal flaw: the lack of solidarity | Shahin Vallée
There has been little political will to pool taxes, borrowing and spending to support states worst hit. But it is the only way out
The European summit last week was hailed as a moment of truth. In a recent interview, France's president, Emmanuel Macron, laid out how European leaders had a rendezvous with history and needed to come together, and show that Europe under duress was able to respond with a common voice and with common means to the Covid-19 crisis. By all measures, this rendezvous with history was missed. European leaders in effect agreed to keep calm and carry on.
They endorsed a roadmap to exit lockdown after each country had in fact already decided and announced their own uncoordinated exit plans. In some countries, such as Germany, deconfinement measures are not a prerogative of the federal government and coordinating between states is challenging enough, let alone coordinating with other countries.
The eurozone needs to move towards a true form of fiscal federalism, which the current EU budget doesn't permit
Related: EU summits swap huddles and wine for muted mics and Pringles pop art
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