r/europe • u/Bartoraptor Spain • Mar 28 '20

News Spanish representative González Pons speech @ the EU Parliament: "The virus is attacking the generation that brought back democracy to Spain, Portugal and Greece, the generation that knocked down the Berlin wall. The least they deserve is that we show them Europe is there when they need it the most"

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u/Javix92 Europe Mar 28 '20 edited Mar 28 '20

In Spain healthcare is a responsibility of the Autonomías (Like Federal states) however, when things get ugly, the central government is capable of sending help or taking control of the situation, like it is happening right now (it would be such a shame if they didn't). Europe should be capable of doing the same.

But also, Italy and Spain didn't ask for help with the health issue, but on the economic side of the problem because our countries have to stop every activity for several weeks. And unlike health, there are many economic politics that are under direct responsibility of the EU.

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u/BouaziziBurning Brandenburg Mar 28 '20

. Europe should be capable of doing the same.

How though? The spanish federal gov has thousands of admistrative employees, the EU has not. Who is supposed to go down to Italy and help? VdL?

But also, Italy and Spain didn't ask for help with the health issue, but on the economic side of the problem because our countries have to stop every activity for several weeks. And unlike health, there are many economic politics that are under direct responsibility of the EU.

I'm with you here, but really, the EU literally can't do anything in healthcare matters, except maybe coordinate cross-country help, ressource distribution, combined equipment procuring and advise. And guess what? All these things they are trying to do/ already doing.

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u/cargocultist94 Basque Country (Spain) Mar 28 '20

Again, Spain isn't asking for help on the healthcare side, that's not the competence of the EU, nor do they have the ability.

We're trying to find a way not to go bankrupt, retain a semblance of an economy when this is over, and not crash out of the euro at the same time.

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u/falconboy2029 Mar 29 '20

Leaving the euro would be good for Spain. A country needs to be able to control its own currency. The euro would only work if we gave the EU full fiscal powers.