Germany has joined a group of leading European Union member states in rejecting proposals for further common fiscal measures aimed at helping EU states badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Italy, Spain and France joined forces in asking the Union to issue temporary bonds to help eurozone members cope with the closure of business and factories but Berlin urged for cautious measures as it remains unclear how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last.
But the hard stance Chancellor Angela Merkel adopted sparked accusations of selfishness and prejudice against Germany.
Italian journalist Alberto Lupini told Italia a Tavola: "Unfortunately the pandemic is not only taking the lives of too many people and putting the world economy on its knees.
"It’s also killing the dreams of those like me, like you in addition of being a proud Italian, was convinced they could be a proud European to share peace, welfare and civility burying forever hatred and wars. But I’m afraid this can no longer be the case.
"The coronavirus is unveiling selfishness, prejudice and the sleazy ambition of national supremacy based on still being different and superior."
Mr Lupini continued: "Germany, who was responsible for two world wars it lost and recovered from thanks to the solidarity of other European has never renounced its attempts to rule over the continent.
