By Tony Winterburn • Published: 18 May 2020 • 10:45
Italy was the first country in Europe to be placed on strict lockdown as it struggled to cope with the spread of Covid-19. As the epidemic took hold in February, starting in the northern city of Lombardy, its European neighbours largely looked on and did nothing to help relieve the burden.
Months later as the lockdown is slowly lifted and Italians begin to tentatively venture out, there is growing concern over the economic impact of the crisis.
The discontent among Italians has given way to rising support for the idea of an independent Italy outside of the EU. A survey of 1,000 Italians carried out in April by Tecne showed 42 per cent would like to see their country break ties with Brussels. This marked a jump from 26 per cent in November 2018. Marco Tondo, a real estate agent based in Rome, sums up the lack of confidence in the EU.
“I have changed my mind a little on Europe.
“We are facing an absolute emergency, and seeing countries turning their backs on each other is really awkward.” The 34-year-old is receiving nine weeks’ redundancy pay from the government at 80 per cent of his normal salary.
But fear is growing over how far the country’s wage compensation fund can stretch…
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
the EU what can I say it is a total failure they promised so much but took loads countries fell for the old trap of get something for nothing (poverty) if they had stayed out of the EU what would have happened well they wouldn’t be in financial mess italy and the rest should get out now while the going is good look at the UK we did it was there any of the harsh things that they said was going to happen has it happened NO! this shows that getting out isnt such a bad thing and I should know I and a volutary member of the GDPR a british creation not european although the EU like to stick it’s name on everything well we will be taking that back and do you know what I do like is that germany last year incured such big fines for data breach and they say they would never do any thing like that shows who you can trust doesn’t it !
Comments are closed.
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.