David Sassoli defends the EU's management of the pandemic against countries without democratic systems

David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, has defended the transparency of the European Union during the coronavirus crisis against those countries without democratic systems, in a veiled reference to China, during a virtual breakfast organized this Thursday by Nueva Economía Fórum. Sassoli also called for the EU to be strengthened for the world that is coming after COVID-19 with the aim of ensuring the autonomy of Europeans. 

"Throughout these months we have had to face very complicated situations: the paralysis of the world because of COVID-19, the lack of medical equipment... but we have acted with transparency and respecting the rules of the democratic system," said Sassoli. 

The President of the European Parliament also called for the European social model that has allowed many citizens to go to a health centre for treatment without having to worry about bills. "None of them have been left on the doorstep of hospitals, unlike in the United States, where losing your job means losing your health insurance," he said. 

Mr Sassoli said that the European Parliament had welcomed with interest the proposal for a multiannual financial framework put forward by the EU executive, led by Germany's Ursula von der Leyen. "I hope that this plan will go ahead and that we will not go backwards," she said. The financial framework has yet to be approved by Parliament and the details have yet to be finalised and discussed. 

In response to questions from MEPs Esteban González Pons (EPP) and Luis Garicano (GUE/NGL), the Italian Socialist explained that after the pandemic, the EU must be able to adopt a recovery plan with considerable power and therefore defend its autonomy at a time of geopolitical upheaval. Furthermore, he has insisted that the EU must continue to work to close the gap between the north and the south. 

Sassoli has ruled out that Europe is in a period similar to that between the wars of the last century and has argued that the continent is in a situation similar to that of the post-war period. "Public opinion is now calling for the EU to take on more competences. We are at a time when we must take advantage of the challenge posed by the pandemic to improve our institutions," Mr Sassoli explained. 

Arancha González Laya, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, also agreed with the President of the European Parliament during her speech and said that Europe was at a crucial moment for economic and social reconstruction. "How the EU emerges from this crisis will determine its next role in the world. If the response is slow and not supportive it will be more difficult to play a leadership role", he explained.