Cities will need national and European help for the recovery of their local economy after corona. Tackling the crisis requires a “multi-level effort”, says Juan Mari Aburto, mayor of Bilbao, in an interview with CityMetric. The article also reports on the plans of cities like Tirana, Poznan and Braga. Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence, is quoted: “Without a firm – and united – European strategy based on a united EU policy aiming to a real shared effort to restart the economy, all cities will be facing a dramatic crisis in just a few months.” You can read the article here
Tag: EU
Florence – Mayor Dario Nardella: “Europe must be united“
In light of the economic damage as result of the corona pandemic, the mayor of the Italian city of Florence, Dario Nardella, calls for a united Europe. Florence has more than 1,000 positive cases of corona. “The city is very committed to helping the elderly population, to building quarantine structures and, through a €2 million fund, to help families purchasing food“, Dario Nardella says. “The situation is very difficult, which is why Europe is needed now more than ever. Europe must be united, allow member countries to resort to debt, and issue corona-bonds to have cash flows and allow all cities to start again when the crisis will be over.“ The EU member states are talking about financial aid at a video meeting of the finance ministers this Thursday.
EU Commission: Overview of economic measures
The European Commission has published a summary of policy measures taken against the spread and the impact of the coronavirus. The 50 pages document lists initiatives with economic and financial relevance in the member states, including regional and city level. You can download the document here
COVID-19 – Mayors call for European solidarity
Mayors of big cities across Europe call for cross-border solidarity during the corona crisis. In a joint statement of the network EUROCITIES, they urge a strong collaboration between all levels of government.
EU – Flexibility to support the real economy
The European Commission has adopted a temporary framework to enable member states to use the full flexibility foreseen under state aid rules to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak: Direct grants, selective tax advantages and advance payments, and state guarantees for loans taken by companies from banks. Member States will also be able to provide state guarantees to ensure banks keep providing loans to the customers that need them. Read more here
EU – Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative
European Commissioners Elisa Ferreira, responsible for Cohesion and Reforms; and Nicolas Schmit responsible for Jobs and Social Rights have sent letters to all the EU countries to inform them on the individual support they can receive under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative.
The letters, with individual country information are available here