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Epidemic infects Europe with 'germ of division'
France24 ^ | March 28, 2020

Posted on 03/28/2020 7:53:29 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

Brussels (AFP) - The European Union has faced and survived a series of existential threats over the years but the coronavirus epidemic has exposed old wounds that could yet prove fatal.

A debt crisis in Mediterranean countries, a series of refugee influxes and the ongoing saga on Brexit all rattled the European project but did not sink it.

They may, however, have left it vulnerable to a new disease.

"The germ is back," former European Commission president and one of the modern union's chief architects, Jacques Delors, told AFP on Saturday.

"The climate that seems to hang over the heads of state and government and the lack of European solidarity pose a mortal danger to the European Union," he warned.

How did it come to this?

Certainly, Europe is the continent worst hit by the novel coronavirus epidemic that arrived from China, with around 18,000 deaths.

But EU member states also have some of the most advanced public health infrastructure in the world and a 27-member common project that should help them weather the storm.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has begged national capitals to show solidarity, but the crisis has only underlined existing divisions.

Italy, Spain and France -- the hardest hit countries so far, with cases spreading fast -- are pushing for Europe to find a way to better share the financial burden.

But the Netherlands and Germany are sceptical, fearing their big-spending southern neighbours will exploit the crisis to push for a pooling of eurozone government debts.

So-called "coronabonds" would, in the view of more frugal northern economies, be a back door to "eurobonds" that could undermine the stability of the single currency.

(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: china; despotate; europe; europeancommission; europeanunion; eussr; globalism; virus

1 posted on 03/28/2020 7:53:29 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
The biggest threat to Europe is Islam.


2 posted on 03/28/2020 7:57:04 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Division? Sounds to me more like they’re coming to their senses.


3 posted on 03/28/2020 8:03:16 AM PDT by libertylover (Socialism will always look good to those who think they can get something for nothing.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Globalists watch their world crumble. And it plays to the sound of the worlds smaller violin...


4 posted on 03/28/2020 8:03:53 AM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists...Socialists...Fascists & AntiFa...Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: BenLurkin

Yep. The mind virus of Islam was cured with a harsh dose of Christianity in Spain once but now after a 13 century struggle Europe is slouching towards defeat.


5 posted on 03/28/2020 8:08:27 AM PDT by Nateman ( Unless the left is screaming you are doing it wrong.)
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To: BenLurkin

The biggest threat to Europe is Islam.

________________________________________________

Oh I’d say the Globalist, political Left is still the biggest threat. Islamization doesn’t make a dent in Europe unless Europeans *allow* it to do so. Right now the political Left is the side pushing for the free flow of migrants. They are the cause; cultural change is the effect.


6 posted on 03/28/2020 8:27:28 AM PDT by Bishop_Malachi (Liberal Socialism - A philosophy which advocates spreading a low standard of living equally.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
When the "Lessons Learned" from this pandemic are tallied, among them will be:

1. Strong secure borders save lives:
2. Domestic supply chains for vital items like pharmaceuticals and medical equipment are of strategic importance;

America is Blessed that we have a strong, intelligent LEADER like President Trump in charge during this crisis and NOT Idiot Joe or Madam Hillary Benghazi.

7 posted on 03/28/2020 8:46:41 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Takedown My Duly Elected President and You're Attacking The Constitution! IT WILL BE DEFENDED!)
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To: The Sons of Liberty

Yes, Thank G-d.


8 posted on 03/28/2020 8:47:46 AM PDT by Black Agnes
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“...a series of refugee influxes ...”

Totally self inflicted ...EU/Merkel virus.


9 posted on 03/28/2020 9:12:18 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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